Messi reveals New Year’s wish

The Argentine has seen the back end of
2013 hampered by injury and is hoping for
a clean bill of health over the next 12
months

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has revealed his only wish for the New Year is to enjoy an injury-free 2014.

The Argentina star saw a hamstring injury
bring a premature end to last season and a
similar problem has left him on the sidelines since November, this term.

The 26-year-old looks set to return to action for the Blaugrana's clash with Elche on January 5 and he hopes it is the beginning of a prosperous year.

He told Argentinian TV show Mundo Leo:
"There are many important things in the
human part, but sports-wise what I ask for
2014 is a year without injuries.

"The goal now is to be physically fit and
the idea is to get a couple of practice sessions with my team-mates before playing again.

"After celebrating the end of the year with
my people, next Wednesday, January 1, I'll fly to Barcelona and, after my arrival, we'll see when I'm ok to play again."

Barca qualified for the knockout stages of
the Champions League without their star
man but have seen their lead at the top of
La Liga whittled down, with the club level
on 46 points with second-placed Atletico
Madrid.

Source: Goal.com