MADRID, May 15, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Lionel Messi says he is comfortable with
footballers returning to play again as La Liga prepares to restart the season
in Spain next month.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has circled June 12 as the ideal date for
matches to resume.
Barcelona sit top of the table, two points ahead of Real Madrid.
Players in Spain have started working individually at training grounds as
part of a strict and staggered programme, with five players already put into
quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus.
“The risk of contagion is everywhere,” Messi said in an interview with
Mundo Deportivo, published on Friday.
“When you leave the house the risk is already there, so I think you can’t
think about it too much because otherwise you’ll not want to go out anywhere.
“But we also understand it is essential to comply with protocols and take
all the possible measures of prevention. Going back to training is a first
step but we shouldn’t get complacent and we must continue taking all the
necessary precautions and assume we have to start playing games but behind
closed doors.”
Messi also spoke about Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, whom Barcelona
are reportedly keen to sign this summer.
Martinez is viewed as a long-term replacement for the 33-year-old Luis
Suarez.
“If I’m honest I’m not sure if there were or are negotiations right now for
him, I have no idea,” Messi said.
“Lautaro is an impressive striker, especially because I think he is very
complete — he is strong, he dribbles well, he has an eye for goal, he knows
how to protect the ball.”