Leo Messi: recovery timeline

The Argentinian is set to play for the first time since he was injured against Betis

Leo Messi is finally back in action

Leo Messi was declared fully fit on Tuesday, and is available for selection by Gerardo Martino for the cup game with Getafe. 58 days have passed since he was injured at the Benito Villamarín. Here we look back at what has happened since to the greatest player in the world:
November 10. In the 19th minute he injures himself against Betis and has to be substituted. Up to this point, he had scored 14 goals in 16 official matches.

November 11. Tests confirm that he had torn a hamstring muscle and would be out for 6 to 8 weeks.

November 12. Messi used Facebook to speak to the fans and say“Thank you to you all for being by my side through these difficult times".

November 17. In an interview with Argentinian paper ‘Olé’ he said that "the injury was accident ... The plan is for me to play again when my body tells me it can”.

November 20. Three days later, when he is presented with the Golden Boot, he is pleased to comment that "I can hardly feel any pain”.

November 29. Leo Messi returns to his home country for the second stage of his recovery, accompanied by doctor Daniel Martínez and kinesiologist Luis García from the Argentinian national team's medical team.

December 17. Doctor Ricard Pruna and director of sport Andoni Zubizarreta travel to Argentina to learn how his recovery is going. Also in Argentina is club physio Elvio Paolorosso.

December 18. Examinations and echography performed by Doctor Pruna at the AFA facility in Buenos Aires show how well Leo Messi is recovering from his injury.

December 20. Tests confirm that the player has completed the clinical phase of his recovery. 

December 21. On his Tencent Weibo account, he comments that “the countdown to my full recovery has begun." Martino claims that “he will be in perfect condition to rejoin the team in the new year”.

December 30. “I'm wishing for an injury-free 2014”, he says on the ‘Mundo Leo' TV show. “After spending new year with my people, I'm flying to Barcelona on January 1 and we'll then have to see when I'll be fit to make my return."

January 1. Messi flies back from Argentina to Barcelona.

January 2. Messi takes part in the evening training session, his first workout with the squad since the injury.


January 3. In the open-doors training session, Messi scores three goals to show just how ready he is to return to action. The Miniestadi goes wild as they watch their hero return.

January 7. After an absence of 58, Messi is declared fully fit.

Leo Messi wins his third Ballon d'Or

The Argentinean star is named by FIFA as the best player of 2011, this is Messi’s third straight Ballon d’Or award

Messi equals Platini, Cruyff and Van Bastes, the only players to ever win three Ballon d’Or titles

At the age of 24, Leo Messi equals the record set by the Frenchman Michel Platini after winning three consecutive Ballon d’Or titles (2009, 2010 and 2011). Ronaldo handed the Argentinean the FIFA Ballon d’Or this afternoon in Zurich. Messi won the title thanks to votes placed by captains and managers of all the national sides and journalists from France Football.

The youngest player to ever win three Ballon d’Or titles

Besides equalling Platini as the second player in the history of the Ballon d’Or to win the title three times in a row, Messi also equals Johan Cruyff and Marco Van Basten, who have also won three Ballon d’Or titles, albeit not consecutively. In 2009, Messi won the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player, awarded by France Football and FIFA respectively. The following year, 2010, both entities decided to combine the award and call it FIFA Ballon d’Or. Leo Messi was the first winner of the new award, Iniesta and Xavi finished behind the Argentinean.

Messi named ‘World's Top Goal Scorer’ of 2011

The Argentinian, who scored 19 goals in international matches, was recognized by the Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) as the top goal scorer of 2011

Leo Messi keeps on winning titles and awards. The latest title to be awarded to the Argentinian came this Friday, when the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) named Barça’s genius striker as the ‘World's Top Goal Scorer’ of 2011. In the past 12 months Messi has scored 19 goals, two more than Falcao, the second place finisher. The award only takes into consideration goals that have been scored in international and Olympic matches and continental tournaments.

David Villa, tenth

FC Barcelona has two top-10 finishers this year. David Villa, who finished tenth, is level with Cristiano Ronaldo, both with 12 goals.

Here is the complete list of the top goalscorers in 2011:

1- Leo Messi, FC Barcelona (19 goals)
2- Radamel Falcao, Porto/Atlético de Madrid (17 goals)
3- Hasan Mahmoud, Kuwait-City/Al-Wehdat/Jordan (16 goals)
4- Mario Gómez, Bayern Munich (16 goals)
5- Javier Hernández, Manchester United (15 goals)
6- Sunil Chhetri, FC Kolkata (14 goals)
7- Neymar, Santos FC (14 goals)
8- Abdullah Khaled Deeb, Al-Wehdat (13 goals)
9- Eduardo Jesús Vargas, Universidad de Chile (13 goals)
10- David Villa, FC Barcelona; Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid (12 goals)

Happy Blue Year

The Premier League returns for the New Year's weekend and, as ever, you can follow all the action on Sky Sports.

We asked Soccer Saturday expert Paul Merson to look at the fixtures and give us his verdict on where the games will be won and lost.
As usual, he's taking a close look at the live games and this season he's also having his say on all of the other matches. 

Man City will probably start the New Year three points behind Man United - and they'll be wondering how that's happened.

They've only lost one game, they've beaten their rivals 6-1 and they couldn't have played any better - and yet they'll start 2012 in second place!

However, I fancy them to win the league as long as they stay in touch with Man United until February. They've had some tough fixtures in December and January, but then they get a nice run and if they keep going over the next month then I fancy them to be champions.

It will be tough going to the Stadium of Light because Sunderland have had a couple of good results lately. That's bought them the right to play at home with 11 men behind the ball, like West Brom did on Boxing Day.

If they try to attack Man City it will be at their peril because they can pick you off. Sunderland need to play on the counter-attack and if they come away with a draw it will be a great result.

There wasn't much wrong with Steve Bruce's team. I watched them a few times and all they were lacking was confidence - and Martin O'Neill seems to have given them that.

But I expect City to be too strong. They have to win and will go there with all guns blazing.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3

Premier League preview

It will be a New Year and a new start for a lot of teams at the wrong end of the Premier League, but both Manchester clubs will hope for more of the same in 2012.

They are currently level at the summit with 45 points apiece and United host rock-bottom Blackburn on Saturday while City travel to Sunderland the following day.
Tottenham are just seven points behind the Mancunian pace-setters with a game in hand and will look to keep the pressure on against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.
Elsewhere, Chelsea and Arsenal both have home games while Bolton and Wolves lock horns in a relegation battle.
The action on New Year's Eve kicks off at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime with Manchester United hoping to build on their demolition of Wigan against struggling Blackburn Rovers. Steve Kean revealed in midweek that Sir Alex Ferguson gave him words of support following the abuse from a large section of Blackburn fans, with the club bottom of the Premier League and five points adrift of safety. But rest assured there will be no favours dished out when the two sides take to the pitch as United have the chance to go top of the table, at least temporarily. Despite all the talk of doom and gloom a few weeks back, they have gone from strength to strength and you would bank on a home victory in this one. However, Rovers showed heart at Liverpool last time out and are fighting for their lives.

Credentials test

City will no doubt be keeping one eye on that result ahead of their clash at Sunderland, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1 from 3pm on Sunday. Roberto Mancini's men were held at West Brom on Boxing Day and a tricky trip to a rejuvenated Sunderland will test their title credentials further. Martin O'Neill has restored some confidence at the Stadium of Light since his arrival as manager, and following two victories, a draw and a creditable defeat at Spurs, his players will be motivated to keep moving forward against their big-spending opponents. Stephane Sessegnon, in particular, is in a rich vein of form but will have to be at his best to test City's strong backline.
Tottenham will finish the year in third place whatever the results at the weekend, a remarkable achievement considering where they were at the beginning of the campaign and many are tipping them to remain close challengers for the Premier League crown. Harry Redknapp's charges have a difficult match at Swansea to contend with, though, with the Welsh outfit searching for their first win in four attempts. They have only lost one of those games but after an impressive start to life in the top-flight, Brendan Rodgers may be looking nervously at the bottom half of the table with a tricky run of fixtures to come.

Speculation surrounds the return of Thierry Henry to Arsenal, with the New York Red Bulls forward to be offered the chance to put on the red and white jersey once again during a two-month loan spell. If he does complete a comeback to North London he may provide some much-needed help to Robin van Persie up front, who despite a fantastic season so far was frustrated by Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey during their recent 1-1 draw. Arsenal have done well to claw themselves back into the top five and finishing in the Champions League places come May must be a priority for Arsene Wenger. They host QPR at the Emirates on Saturday with Rangers currently on the slide - Neil Warnock's Hoops have not won any of their last six during a tough Christmas period.
Despite beating Manchester City just a few weeks ago, Chelsea are 11 points off the top of the table and their chances of a title bid hang by a thread - victory at home to Aston Villa is a must if they are to keep their faint hopes alive. Andre Villas-Boas' side have drawn their last three matches 1-1 since that victory over City, and unless they can produce an impressive run, this will be regarded as a season of transition for the Portuguese coach in his first year in England. Villa have not won for three matches and Alex McLeish continues to endure a rough ride - also in his first campaign with the club.
Owen Coyle would have been hoping that victory for Bolton over Blackburn was to be a turning point, but a limp display against Newcastle at home means they are well and truly stuck in the bottom three. It is a big game for Wanderers on Saturday as they face fellow relegation strugglers Wolves, who are one place outside the bottom three. A win for Bolton would see them move just one point behind Mick McCarthy's men but they will need to up their game if they are going to get anything from this one - Wolves earned a creditable draw at Arsenal on Tuesday and have fighting spirit.
Fellow Black Country outfit West Brom have been resurgent of late and Roy Hodgson has really got his team playing for each other. Two wins and a draw against Manchester City see the Baggies sitting pretty in ninth, putting distance between themselves and the dogfight. Everton visit the Hawthorns on New Year's Day, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1 from 12.30pm. The Toffees have had a hit-and-miss first half of the season but successive victories would see them leapfrog West Brom in the table.

Close call

Norwich and Fulham are only separated by one place ahead of their meeting at Carrow Road. The Cottagers bounced back from their embarrassing defeat by Manchester United with a deserved point at Chelsea and it remains to be seen which team turns up in East Anglia. Things could begin to get tough for the promoted clubs as the season progresses but Norwich have acquitted themselves well so far - 21 points from 18 games leaving them well-placed in mid-table.
Finally, Stoke have the opportunity to consolidate their place in the top half while Wigan can move out of the bottom three when the two teams lock horns at the Britannia. It is difficult to look past a home win here but Wigan have the potential to surprise teams. They have Conor Sammon available after his red card received against Manchester United was rescinded on Thursday. But can their defence stand up from the direct approach of the Potters? 

Wenger - Henry here to help

Arsene Wenger believes Thierry Henry could give Arsenal the same short-term boost provided by Sol Campbell when he returned to the club for a second spell in 2010.

The Arsenal manager has confirmed Henry, the club's all-time record scorer, will sign for the Gunners on a two-month loan deal if insurance agreements can be agreed with current club the New York Red Bulls.

And he hopes the deal will prove as successful as Campbell's 11-match stint two years ago when he filled a defensive void.

Wenger said: "Sol was fantastic when he came back. Sol is like Thierry. Once they are committed you know you can rely on them.

"I remember when we went to Tottenham, Sol was absolutely amazing for a guy who, three weeks before, you wondered if this guy can still play in the Premier League. He had such a capacity to fight. They have that pride. Now we have Thierry, it is a continuity of the special link with our former players."

Wenger, however, warned Arsenal fans not to expect the Henry of 10 years ago, even though he decided after one training session to ask the 34-year-old to rejoin the club.

Wenger said: "You do not find players on the planet of this quality who are available for two months.
"You can never take away from people what they have done, that will remain forever. Nobody expects him to be what he was 10 years ago.

"He is here to help out, not to suddenly be the leader, the main player in the squad. He and I are conscious that he is 34 years old, but he has not lost his class or his brain."

Wenger wants Henry, who is available until the MLS season restarts in March, to fill the void which will be left when Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho leave for the African Nations Cup next month.

The Gunners boss insists Henry, who scored 226 times in 370 appearances for the club before moving to Barcelona in June 2007, needs two weeks to be fully match fit but in theory he could be available for seven Premier League matches, including key encounters against Manchester United and Tottenham as well as FA Cup ties and Arsenal's Champions League last-16 encounter against AC Milan.

Wenger believes the Henry news will give the squad a boost. He said: "The players are all happy that Thierry is coming back. You can always learn in life from people who have the knowledge like he has."

Macheda 'Set For QPR Loan'

Manchester United striker Federico Macheda's agent claims the Italian is "95%" certain to join QPR on loan in the January transfer window.

The 20-year-old Italian has made just six appearances for United's first team this season and has been linked with a move to Wigan with Sir Alex Ferguson keen to give some of his youngsters as much exposure as possible.

Macheda's representative, Giovanni Bia, claims there is no chance of a switch to the DW Stadium and instead will in all probability move to west London on loan. Bia told skysports.com: "There was nothing concrete with Wigan. The club closer to Macheda is QPR."

He added: "I think at 95% that Macheda will go to London, because he needs to play, and this is the only suggestion of a transfer to date.

"He'll go on a simple loan for six months, because Sir Alex Ferguson believes in him and wants to take him back to United at the end of the season.

"The other five per cent of chance is that Macheda stays in Manchester."