Lionel Messi and Neymar are doubtful for Barcelona's Club World Cup final
Saturday 19 December 2015 15:20, UK
Barcelona forwards Lionel Messi and Neymar are still doubtful for the Club World Cup final against River Plate
Coach Luis Enrique and captain Andreas Iniesta confirmed doubts over the star duo ahead of Sunday's final, with the Catalan giants looking to win the tournament for the third time.
Messi missed Thursday's semi-final against Guangzhou Evergrande because of pain caused by a kidney stone and Neymar was recovering from a small strain in his adductor muscle.
"The two are improving," Luis Enrique said, without giving any further details.
"They haven't been able to train and it will depend on how their sensations are [sic], I hope they can play," Iniesta added.
Messi never played professionally in Argentina and has faced an Argentine side only once before, when Barcelona met Estudiantes in the 2009 final.
Barcelona have been scintillating this season thanks largely to their forward trio of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, scorer of a hat-trick in Wednesday's 3-0 semi-final win.
River Plate, on the other hand, have achieved dominance in South America with a team of journeymen, moulded into a winning outfit by coach Marcelo Gallardo who himself could end up in Europe if his success continues.
