Football: Messi among Barca no-shows

NEW YORK: Lionel Messi, a two-time Fifa Player of the Year, is among several Barcelona players who will not play for the reigning Uefa Champions League winners in their upcoming three-match American tour. The Spanish side’s star striker will be rested after playing in the Copa America this month for Argentina. Barcelona will open the American visit on Saturday against English Premier League champions Manchester United in a rematch of the Champions League final. Also missing from the Barcelona lineup will be Daniel Alves, Javier Mascherano and Alexis Sanchez.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2011.