Lionel Messi is expected to feature for Barcelona in their massive La Liga game against Atletico Madrid on Saturday, despite missing training on Friday to be with his girlfriend for the birth of his second child.
Having received the good news, Messi will now turn his attentions to Atletico Madrid, with the Barcelona talisman, no doubt, looking to add the cherry to the icing, after welcoming his second son – Mateo -- on Friday.
"From a human point of view, I'd like to congratulate him on becoming a father again, which is a great moment in anyone's life," Diego Simeone, the Atletico Madrid manager, and fellow Argentine said.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid go into this crucial early-season La Liga match with perfect records, and having not conceded a single goal each. Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has backed Messi to shine, even if his preparation, in terms of football, might not have been the best.
"Here we all know what happens when the league stops for internationals and we all know each other and used to it," Enrique said when asked if Messi would be fit to play having just returned from international duty with Argentina, before missing the final training session on Friday.
"[Atletico] have lost lots of internationals to and that's what us coaches are for, so that despite everything the team can be the best it can be.
"Messi, like everyone, I expect to be at his best."
Not just Messi, but Barcelona will need to be at their best as well to trip up Atletico Madrid on their home turf – the Vicente Calderon. Barca, though, will have fond memories of their last match against Atletico, where they were confirmed as the champions of Spain, thanks to a sumptuous goal from Messi.
Atletico, however, are a different kettle of fish this season, having strengthened considerably, particularly up front, with Jackson Martinez, Luciano Vietto, Yannick Carrasco and Olivier Torres all coming in.
While there are plenty of new faces in an attacking sense for Atletico, it will be a more familiar face in Antoine Griezmann that Barcelona will be most wary of. Griezmann has made a bright start to the La Liga season again, and his pace and finishing ability will be a threat to the Barca defence.
"Antoine has grown tremendously," Simeone said. "He's a young guy with great enthusiasm, eager to make progress and have a lot of things athletically speaking to be in the best level of all.
"He always challenges himself, which is very important in the life of any person, whenever one puts that one themselves they have to work to get a result.
"Hopefully the result of work and regularity of game gives you the chance to be in such an important place as he looks. He has the natural ability to get to the top, of that I am not doubtful."
With Neymar and Luis Suarez giving Messi company, though, Barcelona have the attacking edge over Atletico, and this match will probably be decided on how well the home team's defence plays.
Team news: Atletico Madrid: Simeone has no new injury worries, with Filipe Luis available after missing the last La Liga game.
Barcelona: Messi is in the squad, but Gerard Pique, Dani Alves, Douglas and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo are ruled out. Utility fullback Adriano, though, returns from injury.
Where to Watch Live
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid is scheduled for an 8.30 pm CET (12 am IST, 7.30 pm BST. 2.30 pm ET) start with live TV coverage in India on Sony Kix. Viewers in India can also watch the match via live streaming online on Livsports.
Viewers in the UK can watch the La Liga match live on Sky Sports3, while the action can also be live streamed on Sky Go. Spain viewers can catch the match live on Canal+.
Audience in the USA, Canada, Australia, the Middle East and North Africa will be able to watch Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona live on Bein Sports, while the live stream option is on Bein Sports Connect.
