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Sports / Football

Messi, Neymar still doubtful for Club World Cup final

Published: 19 Dec 2015 - 03:17 pm | Last Updated: 12 Nov 2021 - 06:37 pm
Peninsula

Barcelona forwards Lionel Messi (2nd R) and forward Neymar (C) attend a training session at the Club World Cup football tournament in Yokohama on December 19, 2015. (AFP)

YOKOHAMA: Barcelona forwards Lionel Messi and Neymar are still doubtful for the Club World Cup final against River Plate, coach Luis Enrique told reporters on Saturday.

Messi missed Thursday's semi-final against Guangzhou Evergrande because of pain casued by a kidney stone and Neymar was recovering from a small strain in his adductor muscle.

"The two are improving," said Luis Enrique without giving further details.

Team captain Andres Iniesta added. "They haven't been able to train and it will depend on how their sensations, I hope they can play."

European champions Barcelona meet River, their South American counterparts, on Sunday.

Messi never played professionally in Argentina and has faced an Argentine side only once before, when Barcelona met Estudiantes in the 2009 final.

Reuters