Lionel Messi FIT to be part of Barcelona's squad to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League

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Lionel Messi has been included in Barcelona's squad to face Borussia Dortmund
The Argentine star is yet to play for the club this season due to a calf problem
But after missing the 5-2 win over Valencia, he now looks to have proved fitness

Published: 08:23 EDT, 16 September 2019 | Updated: 07:50 EDT, 17 September 2019

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Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde will wait until Tuesday before deciding if he can unleash Lionel Messi on Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League opener.

The Argentine star has not featured for the Catalan giants so far this season due to a niggling calf issue but, after missing the 5-2 win over Valencia at the weekend, he proved his fitness to be included in the club's 22-man squad.

Messi returned to full training alongside his team-mates on Monday morning and will hope to get his first minutes of the campaign away at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion.

Lionel Messi has proved fitness and is part of Barcelona's Champions League squad this week

Back in training on Monday, Messi is part of the 22-man squad to face Borussia Dortmund next

📋 [SQUAD LIST]
⚽ #BVBBarça
✈ See who’s making the list for our @ChampionsLeague opener! 👇 pic.twitter.com/ZXoQAvoBMM
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 16, 2019

However, Valverde said in his pre-match press conference that he would wait until the last minute before deciding whether Messi will play.

He said: 'A week ago, we weren't clear at all that he would be ready in time, but in the last training sessions he has been with the team, he has finished well and the fear of feeling pain is leaving his head.

'He has improved a lot. We will decide tomorrow.'

Messi last featured for Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final in May against Valencia and will be keen to announce himself in style if he does return to action in Germany.

Barcelona's 22-man squad will depart for Germany later on Monday afternoon.

The Catalans have made a stuttering start to the new campaign in Messi's absence with two wins, one draw and one defeat leaving them fifth after four games.

For Messi, the focus will once again be on lifting the Champions League trophy, having suffered a semi-final collapse from 3-0 up against Liverpool last season.