Leo Messi in Argentina (25 Dec 2006 06:17 GMT)
Lionel Messi arrived at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires yesterday. He will spend Christmas with his family in Rosario, his hometown.
On his arrival, Messi found that many people -both journalists and fans- had come to welcome him, expecting to get some words, photos or autographs from the Argentinian star. The player will spend the last days of the year in Rosario and is expected to fly back to Barcelona after the New Year in order to continue his recovery process. The predictions are that he may be back to play in late February.
"This is so hard to take," Messi admitted. "Luckily, in a week or so I will finally be able to walk normally. Now I cannot do anything; I just go to the gym, do a couple of exercises and come back home. It's not nice, but it's what I have to do."
The Barcelona player discussed several issues, including what year 2006 had meant to him.
"I have been through many things this year: good and bad things," said Messi. "It was really nice to win so many titles with Barcelona, but on the other hand, I suffered two serious injuries that kept me off the pitch for a long time"
"It has been tough to see my team-mates play, not being able to do it myself," he spoke about his current injury. "The workout in the gym was always the same: I would just do the same three exercises everyday and then go back home. It hasn't been nice, but I just had to get used to it. I can't stand the crutches any more! In a week's time I will finally get off them and start walking normally, and then I will start practising. Do you want to know where I want to throw them?"
The Argentine also expressed his wishes for 2007.
"I have no doubts this time: what I want is to recover quickly and to have an injury-free year."
source : lionelmessi.org