Messi available for Barcelona's clash with Sevilla

Sevilla’s hopes that Lionel Messi would sit out Saturday’s match were dealt a blow after the Argentine superstar was named to Barcelona’s matchday squad for the important La Liga encounter.

Sevilla manager Vincenzo Montella admitted he’d prefer Messi sit out the match, but his counterpart, Ernesto Valverde, included the star in his 18-man squad despite his injury-enforced absence during a pair of Argentina’s friendlies.

However, Valverde may elect to rest Messi, who was dealing with a hamstring problem, with an eye on ensuring he is fit for Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Roma on Wednesday.

News of the 30-year-old’s inclusion won’t sit well with Montella, who, according to Adriana Garcia of ESPN FC, said: “We hope Messi rests for (Wednesday’s) game but it wouldn’t surprise me if he played.”

Meanwhile, Nelson Semedo and Denis Suarez will also be available after overcoming their respective injuries.