Goal can confirm that reports in Spain suggesting the Barcelona forward, who is expected to train on Wednesday, may be facing a more serious procedure are completely false
Goal has been told that reports in Spain claiming that Lionel Messi will undergo a kidney operation are categorically untrue.
The Barcelona forward missed part of the Club World Cup in December due to renal colic and his club confirmed on Monday that he would be tested again this week.
Barca expect Messi to return to training on Wednesday, however, and a source close to the player has told Goal that reports in Spain claiming a more serious procedure may be required are false.
"These reports of surgery are far from the truth," the source told Goal. "He will just undergo some tests and treatment because of the renal pain."
And a statement from the Catalan club confirmed that although more tests are scheduled to take place, the player will be able to return to first-team training: "Leo Messi will be submitted for different tests on Monday and Tuesday to assess the development of the kidney problems suffered in December.
"On Wednesday the player will return to training with the first team."
Messi has missed only one game since the turn of the year, with Barcelona winning 10 and drawing one of their 11 games in all competitions in 2016.
The European champions face Valencia in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday and Messi could be rested as a result of their 7-0 aggregate lead.
- Goal