Messi being treated for kidney stone

Barcelona, February 9

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is expected to play in Wednesday’s King’s Cup semifinal against Valencia despite missing training on Monday to have tests on his kidneys, the club said.

“Barcelona striker Lionel Messi will undergo several tests on Monday and Tuesday to assess the evolution of the kidney problems he suffered last December,” Barcelona said in a statement. “Messi will return to his normal duties with the first team on Wednesday.”

The Argentina international missed his team’s FIFA Club World Cup semifinal in December as he was suffering from renal colic, a type of abdominal pain often caused by kidney stones. He missed his team’s semifinal against China’s Guangzhou Evergrande due to the problem. He recovered in time to line up in the final, where Barca beat Argentina’s River Plate 3-0 as he scored the opening goal.

He has also played in all of Barca’s league games since.

The five time World Player of the Year is reported to be receiving lithotripsy, a procedure involving ultrasound shock waves to break down problem kidney stones.

“The surgery normally lasts between three quarters of an hour and an hour with the patient requiring sedation or in some cases anaesthesia,” the Mundo Deportivo reported.

Barcelona visit Valencia in the second leg of their King’s Cup semifinal. They take a 7-0 lead into the match. — Agencies