The big news: After a three week layoff, Lionel Messi is back to training

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi returned to training on Wednesday after missing three weeks of football owing to a groin injury. French defender Samuel Umtiti also returned to training according to a statement on the Catalan giants’ website. “Both Leo Messi and Samuel Umtiti, despite neither yet being declared fit for selection as they battle to recover from injury, were able to join the rest of the team for the workout,” said the statement.

Messi was injured during his side’s 1-1 draw to Atletico Madrid on September 21. Umtiti had strained a ligament in his knee the day earlier in training. Barcelona host Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday before Manchester City visit the Camp Nou next week for their third round Champions League encounter.

Other top stories

  1. England’s Jordan Henderson backed Gareth Southgate to secure the England manager's job on a long term basis after the team's show in the two World Cup qualifiers recently. England drew 0-0 with Slovenia on Tuesday after winning 2-0 win against Malta before that. 
  2. Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has extended his contract at the Bernabeu until 2022. The 26-year-old, who arrived at the Bernabeu from Bayern Munich for a reported £24 million in 2014, has scored four goals in 108 games for Real. Spanish newspaper AS claimed the new deal would earn him £346,000 a week.
  3. Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba admitted that his current role with the Reds is not his favourite. While manager Jose Mourinho wants Pogba to make more effort in defence, the France international is hoping to get a chance in an attacking midfield role. "I try to adapt," he was quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News. "I am a player who would rather go forward.
  4. Paris Saint-Germain and Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier was praised after he saved the life of Mali forward Moussa Doumbia on Saturday. Doumbia was knocked unconscious during a challenge by Sunderland's Lamine Kone. Aurier immediately intervened to stop Doumbia from swallowing his tongue. Ivory Coast went on to win the World Cup qualifier 3-1 in Bouake.
  5. NorthEast United got their third win in four games to reclaim their place at the top of the table in the Indian Super League on Wednesday. The Highlanders beat FC Pune City 1-0 with an Emiliano Afano goal. NorthEast United’s Nirmal Chhetri and FC Pune City's Eduardo Ferreira were sent off during the match, which saw many tempers flare on the pitch.
  6. India take on Brazil in their last match of the BRICS Under-17 football tournament on Thursday. Out of the tournament after suffering three consecutive defeats, hosts India will look to end the tournament on a winning note. Despite putting up good performances against Russia, South Africa and China, India are yet to win a match and are at the bottom of the points table.
  7. Argentina’s Diego Maradona might tour North-East India and West Bengal in the second week of December 2016, according to Goal. "North East for Child Rights", an NGO which works on child rights and protection issues have reached out to Maradona and is trying to get him as the chief guest for a couple of youth championships before the Christmas break. The Argentine has come to India twice in the last decade.