Lionel Messi returns to Barca squad for Dortmund trip

After missing the first few games of the season with a calf injury, Lionel Messi will travel to Germany to face Borussia Dortmund.

Lionel Messi gives a thumbs up

Lionel Messi is back in the Barcelona squad for the first time this season after recovering from a calf injury ahead of Tuesday's Champions League meeting with Borussia Dortmund.

Messi suffered the injury in pre-season and has been unable to feature even as a substitute in Barca's first four La Liga games of the 2019-20 season.

The 32-year-old returned to training last week and took part in the full session on Sunday, despite coach Ernesto Valverde suggesting prior to Saturday's 5-2 demolition of Valencia that Messi would not be fit enough to face Dortmund.

But ahead of Tuesday's Champions League opener, Messi has been named on Barca's squad list, meaning an appearance at Signal Iduna Park is a possibility.

[SQUAD LIST]
#BVBBarça
✈ See who's making the list for our @ChampionsLeague opener! pic.twitter.com/ZXoQAvoBMM

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 16, 2019