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Gundogan undecided on Dortmund future amid Real Madrid & Manchester United links
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has insisted that he has yet to make a final decision about his future, with both Real Madrid and Manchester United closely monitoring the midfielder's situation.
The 23-year-old has a contract with BVB until the summer of 2015, but the Bundesliga side are keen to extend the influential Germany international's stay at Signal Iduna Park.
Gundogan - who is still recovering from a back injury - has held off Dortmund's advances so far, but he has made it clear that he will soon make up his mind over where his future lies.
"I have not made a final decision yet. BVB are the first team I am talking to," he was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.
"I will soon make a well-thought decision. But I am keeping my options open at this point.
"Borussia Dortmund have not set me an ultimatum. I am just trying to get healthy again and get back to my best form. That's the main priority for BVB and for myself."
Gundogan has made just one Bundesliga appearance so far this term due to his ongoing physical problems.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has insisted that he has yet to make a final decision about his future, with both Real Madrid and Manchester United closely monitoring the midfielder's situation.
The 23-year-old has a contract with BVB until the summer of 2015, but the Bundesliga side are keen to extend the influential Germany international's stay at Signal Iduna Park.
Gundogan - who is still recovering from a back injury - has held off Dortmund's advances so far, but he has made it clear that he will soon make up his mind over where his future lies.
"I have not made a final decision yet. BVB are the first team I am talking to," he was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.
"I will soon make a well-thought decision. But I am keeping my options open at this point.
"Borussia Dortmund have not set me an ultimatum. I am just trying to get healthy again and get back to my best form. That's the main priority for BVB and for myself."
Gundogan has made just one Bundesliga appearance so far this term due to his ongoing physical problems.
Vidic: Moyes not to blame for 'crazy' season
Nemanja Vidic is adamant that David Moyes is not solely responsible for Manchester United's "crazy" season, insisting that the players must shoulder their share of the blame.
The Red Devils have struggled since replacing Sir Alex Ferguson with the former Everton boss, languishing down in seventh place in the Premier League table as well as suffering a third-round exit from the FA Cup.
Vidic is refusing to blame the arrival of a new coach at Old Trafford, however, insisting that the players' sole responsibility is to win trophies, regardless of who is in charge.
"We had changed our manager, there was a lot of focus in the media on how we would do, but my expectations at the start of the season were the same," he remarked.
"They are the same every year at Manchester United, not just because we had a new manager.
"Those expectations come from the players, the club, the fans as well as the manager. At United there is always a demand to win games and win trophies."
The United skipper, whose agent has suggested could leave the club when his contract expires in the summer, bemoaned his side's tricky start to the season that saw them face the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City before October.
"We had a tough start in the Premier League, we didn’t hit that winning run and get our rhythm which would have given us that confidence," he said.
"The manager was very open from the minute he came here. He knew exactly what he wanted to do and achieve. We had some good training sessions and preparation in pre-season.
"The manager is a good character. He talks and encourages people. But it’s up to the players too. We are a group and it’s the group’s responsibility to deal with situations. But I didn’t expect it to be this crazy."
Nemanja Vidic is adamant that David Moyes is not solely responsible for Manchester United's "crazy" season, insisting that the players must shoulder their share of the blame.
The Red Devils have struggled since replacing Sir Alex Ferguson with the former Everton boss, languishing down in seventh place in the Premier League table as well as suffering a third-round exit from the FA Cup.
Vidic is refusing to blame the arrival of a new coach at Old Trafford, however, insisting that the players' sole responsibility is to win trophies, regardless of who is in charge.
"We had changed our manager, there was a lot of focus in the media on how we would do, but my expectations at the start of the season were the same," he remarked.
"They are the same every year at Manchester United, not just because we had a new manager.
"Those expectations come from the players, the club, the fans as well as the manager. At United there is always a demand to win games and win trophies."
The United skipper, whose agent has suggested could leave the club when his contract expires in the summer, bemoaned his side's tricky start to the season that saw them face the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City before October.
"We had a tough start in the Premier League, we didn’t hit that winning run and get our rhythm which would have given us that confidence," he said.
"The manager was very open from the minute he came here. He knew exactly what he wanted to do and achieve. We had some good training sessions and preparation in pre-season.
"The manager is a good character. He talks and encourages people. But it’s up to the players too. We are a group and it’s the group’s responsibility to deal with situations. But I didn’t expect it to be this crazy."
Nani red card referee Cakir gets World Cup call
Fifa has announced that Cuneyt Cakir features on its 25-strong panel of referees for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Cakir made the headlines last season when he dismissed Manchester United winger Nani for a foul on Alvaro Arbeloa in the second leg of their Champions League tie against Real Madrid, after which Uefa opted not to award the 37-year-old any more European games in the remainder of the 2012-13 campaign.
Felix Brych has also been selected - even though the German was responsible for awarding the already infamous "ghost goal" scored by Bayer Leverkusen's Stefan Kiessling in a Bundesliga game against Hoffenheim in October.
English referee Howard Webb, who was in charge of the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and Netherlands, has also made the cut, with Bjorn Kuipers, Jonas Eriksson, Milorad Mazic, Pedro Proenca, Nicola Rizzoli and Carlos Velasco Carballo completing the nine-man European delegation.
Ravshan Irmatov, Yuichi Nishimura, Nawaf Skukralla and Benjamin Williams make up the Asian contingent, while Noumandiez Doue, Bakary Gassama and Djamel Haimoudi will represent Africa at this summer's tournament.
The Concacaf has three representatives, too, as Joel Aguilar Chicas, Mark Geiger and Marco Rodriguez Moreno will all be travelling to Brazil.
Finally, Peter O'Leary is Oceania's only referee selected.
Cristiano Ronaldo will return to England, claims Calderon
Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon does not feel Cristiano Ronaldo will finish his career at the Santiago Bernabeu, as he expects the Portugal star to return to the Premier League at some point.
Ronaldo signed a new deal with Los Blancos until the summer of 2018 at the start of the season, yet Calderon feels that the lure of the England will eventually prove to be too strong for the prolific attacker.
The 28-year-old joined Madrid from Manchester United in the summer of 2009 and he recently revealed that he has not forgotten about his former club just yet.
"I do not think he will finish his career at Real. I feel that one day he will return to England," Calderon told The Sun.
"In Madrid, he is pleased with the city and the fans, but I think his relationship with [current Madrid president] Florentino Perez is not as good as it was with Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
"Ronaldo loves father figures. With Florentino, he does not have that rapport. The relationship is bad or actually non-existent. He stays at Real despite the chairman.
"It was very important to keep him with us for the image of Madrid and for his level of performance in the years to come.
"Cristiano was born to play for Real Madrid. Everyone in the world wants to have Cristiano in their team."
Calderon was in charge of Madrid from 2006 until 2009 before making way for Perez, with whom he has had strained relationship ever since.
Copa Del Rey 2014.01.16 Fixtures
Copa Del Rey 2014.01.16 Fixtures
Villareal Vs Real Sociedad
Getafe Vs Barcelona
Villareal Vs Real Sociedad
Getafe Vs Barcelona
Madrid getting better & better - Jese
Real Madrid forward Jese Rodriguez believes the side are getting better with every game this season following their 2-0 dismantling of Osasuna on Wednesday.
Angel Di Maria completed the 4-0 aggregate Copa del Rey victory, after Cristiano Ronaldo scored a freak opener which was punched into the net by goalkeeper Andres Fernandez as he made a terrible mess of a long-range free-kick from the Portugal captain.
Jese, who started up front ahead of Karim Benzema for Carlo Ancelotti's men in the cup tie, was thrilled that the team avoided slipping up in the second leg and hopes they can continue with their improvement in 2013-14.
"It was a good game that ended with our goal of winning and I am very happy with the team's victory," the 20-year-old told reporters.
"Osasuna had the advantage of playing the second leg at home, but we've been great in both games. I'm training well and want to help out wherever I can.
"I can see the team's getting better, we are having a great time. The team can give much more in the future. I'm sure we will play better games and we must do so."
The victories at the Santiago Bernabeu and Pamplona have seen los Blancos qualify for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, where they will face Espanyol.
jesenan maaraama winger kenek...faster than Bale
Getafe 0-2 Barcelona (agg 0-6): Magical Messi double soured by Neymar injury
Two goals from Lionel Messi propelled Barcelona through to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals after a 2-0 win over Getafe on Thursday gave them a 6-0 aggregate result.
Messi turned home Cristian Tello's cross from close range at the end of the first half before a brilliant solo effort secured the win for Gerardo Martino's men, who lost Neymar at the half-hour mark to a worrying ankle injury.
Messi partnered Neymar and Tello in attack for Barca, who left Xavi - on the brink of his 700th appearance for the club - among the substitutes.
Getafe, meanwhile, handed a debut to youngster Carlos Vigaray at full-back, while Adrian Colunga lead the line in place of Ciprian Marica.
Messi came within inches of handing Barca the lead after just four minutes, firing Neymar's cut-back just wide of the near post from the edge of the area.
The game was quiet for the first 20 minutes but Getafe created the best of the early chances, when Juan Rodriguez volleyed Pablo Sarabia's flick-on straight at Jose Pinto from point-blank range.
Barca controlled possession but were some way short of their usual rhythm, and they were dealt a further blow when Neymar was forced off after falling awkwardly and spraining his ankle when stretching to cross the ball.
Alexis was then stretchered off for the home side as the game showed little sign of sparking into life, but in the 44th minute, Barca finally found some attacking precision.
Tello was played in behind the full-back Vigaray and his cross was met by Messi - just ahead of Rafa - who turned the ball past Codina and into the far corner.
Getafe started the second half brightly, with Colunga testing Pinto with a chip and Pedro Leon firing some dangerous crosses into the area, but Barca doubled their lead just after the hour mark thanks to the brilliant Messi.
Turning away from Rodriguez, he skipped clear of two challenges on the edge of the area before beating the onrushing Codina and slotting the ball home.
Messi was denied a third by Codina and Alexis fizzed a shot wide before Xavi came on to rapturous applause from the visiting fans, making his 700th Barca appearance in place of Cesc Fabregas.
Colunga drew a strong save from Pinto in the closing stages and Messi was denied a hat-trick by a brilliant save from Codina, before Tello fizzed a shot over the bar from close range from the resulting corner.
But Barca's passage to the quarter-finals was already secured and they will now prepare to face Levante in the last eight.
Two goals from Lionel Messi propelled Barcelona through to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals after a 2-0 win over Getafe on Thursday gave them a 6-0 aggregate result.
Messi turned home Cristian Tello's cross from close range at the end of the first half before a brilliant solo effort secured the win for Gerardo Martino's men, who lost Neymar at the half-hour mark to a worrying ankle injury.
Messi partnered Neymar and Tello in attack for Barca, who left Xavi - on the brink of his 700th appearance for the club - among the substitutes.
Getafe, meanwhile, handed a debut to youngster Carlos Vigaray at full-back, while Adrian Colunga lead the line in place of Ciprian Marica.
Messi came within inches of handing Barca the lead after just four minutes, firing Neymar's cut-back just wide of the near post from the edge of the area.
The game was quiet for the first 20 minutes but Getafe created the best of the early chances, when Juan Rodriguez volleyed Pablo Sarabia's flick-on straight at Jose Pinto from point-blank range.
Barca controlled possession but were some way short of their usual rhythm, and they were dealt a further blow when Neymar was forced off after falling awkwardly and spraining his ankle when stretching to cross the ball.
Alexis was then stretchered off for the home side as the game showed little sign of sparking into life, but in the 44th minute, Barca finally found some attacking precision.
Tello was played in behind the full-back Vigaray and his cross was met by Messi - just ahead of Rafa - who turned the ball past Codina and into the far corner.
Getafe started the second half brightly, with Colunga testing Pinto with a chip and Pedro Leon firing some dangerous crosses into the area, but Barca doubled their lead just after the hour mark thanks to the brilliant Messi.
Turning away from Rodriguez, he skipped clear of two challenges on the edge of the area before beating the onrushing Codina and slotting the ball home.
Messi was denied a third by Codina and Alexis fizzed a shot wide before Xavi came on to rapturous applause from the visiting fans, making his 700th Barca appearance in place of Cesc Fabregas.
Colunga drew a strong save from Pinto in the closing stages and Messi was denied a hat-trick by a brilliant save from Codina, before Tello fizzed a shot over the bar from close range from the resulting corner.
But Barca's passage to the quarter-finals was already secured and they will now prepare to face Levante in the last eight.
Neymar sprains ankle in Copa del Rey clash
Neymar was forced off injured with a sprained ankle in the first half of Barcelona's Copa del Rey clash with Getafe on Thursday.
The Blaugrana were 22 minutes into the second leg of the last 16 in Madrid when the forward landed painfully after crossing the ball for an attack.
Neymar had to be helped off the pitch - looking in a considerable amount of pain - at the Alfonso Perez, hobbling on his left leg with assistance from Barca medical staff.
The Brazil international, 21, was left out of the starting line-up when Gerardo Martino's men faced Atletico Madrid on Saturday, though he came on as a substitute.
This was following a bout of gastroenteritis that kept him out of the first leg of the cup match with Getafe at Camp Nou, which ended 4-0 to the hosts.
Lionel Messi scored a double in that clash, which was his return to the Barca team after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and opened the scoring on the brink of halftime on Thursday following Neymar's injury.
Neymar was forced off injured with a sprained ankle in the first half of Barcelona's Copa del Rey clash with Getafe on Thursday.
The Blaugrana were 22 minutes into the second leg of the last 16 in Madrid when the forward landed painfully after crossing the ball for an attack.
Neymar had to be helped off the pitch - looking in a considerable amount of pain - at the Alfonso Perez, hobbling on his left leg with assistance from Barca medical staff.
The Brazil international, 21, was left out of the starting line-up when Gerardo Martino's men faced Atletico Madrid on Saturday, though he came on as a substitute.
This was following a bout of gastroenteritis that kept him out of the first leg of the cup match with Getafe at Camp Nou, which ended 4-0 to the hosts.
Lionel Messi scored a double in that clash, which was his return to the Barca team after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and opened the scoring on the brink of halftime on Thursday following Neymar's injury.
'Thank God it's not serious' - Martino calms fears over Neymar injury
Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino has moved to calm concerns over an ankle injury suffered by Neymar in the 2-0 win over Getafe.
The Brazilian went over on his ankle in the first half and had to be replaced by Alexis Sanchez, with early speculation suggesting he could be a doubt for the Champions League meeting with Manchester City next month.
Martino, however, insists the forward is not facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines and was relaxed ahead of further medical checks on Friday.
"All the pictures of Neymar made us a lot more calm. Thank God it wasn't as serious as it could have been," Martino said after the match.
"He won't be playing for a while, but we're relaxed about it all. The player is fine.
"His father went into the dressing room to talk to him. It's not as serious as you might think. I prefer to wait for the doctors before imposing a recovery time."
Lionel Messi scored twice on his return to the starting line-up as Barca ran out 6-0 winners on aggregate on Thursday, and Martino was thrilled to see his compatriot perform well in his first 90-minute outing for more than two months.
"We didn't give Getafe any chances to get back in the tie and Messi's goal determined the result. Leo showed he is fit enough for 90 minutes," he continued.
"He was away from the pitch for 60 days, we talk a lot about how he feels, but it was a matter of time until he could play 90 minutes because physically he felt good. He's done well and he looks ready."
Xavi made his 700th appearance as a substitute for the Blaugrana and Martino stressed the veteran midfielder should not consider playing for another club after reaching the milestone.
"I congratulated him, as everyone in the dressing room did. To play in 700 games is very difficult, even more so for Barcelona," he added.
"Like him, I think he wants to stay in football, and I want him to continue at Barca. Xavi should not retire in any other shirt but the one in which he played 700 games."
Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino has moved to calm concerns over an ankle injury suffered by Neymar in the 2-0 win over Getafe.
The Brazilian went over on his ankle in the first half and had to be replaced by Alexis Sanchez, with early speculation suggesting he could be a doubt for the Champions League meeting with Manchester City next month.
Martino, however, insists the forward is not facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines and was relaxed ahead of further medical checks on Friday.
"All the pictures of Neymar made us a lot more calm. Thank God it wasn't as serious as it could have been," Martino said after the match.
"He won't be playing for a while, but we're relaxed about it all. The player is fine.
"His father went into the dressing room to talk to him. It's not as serious as you might think. I prefer to wait for the doctors before imposing a recovery time."
Lionel Messi scored twice on his return to the starting line-up as Barca ran out 6-0 winners on aggregate on Thursday, and Martino was thrilled to see his compatriot perform well in his first 90-minute outing for more than two months.
"We didn't give Getafe any chances to get back in the tie and Messi's goal determined the result. Leo showed he is fit enough for 90 minutes," he continued.
"He was away from the pitch for 60 days, we talk a lot about how he feels, but it was a matter of time until he could play 90 minutes because physically he felt good. He's done well and he looks ready."
Xavi made his 700th appearance as a substitute for the Blaugrana and Martino stressed the veteran midfielder should not consider playing for another club after reaching the milestone.
"I congratulated him, as everyone in the dressing room did. To play in 700 games is very difficult, even more so for Barcelona," he added.
"Like him, I think he wants to stay in football, and I want him to continue at Barca. Xavi should not retire in any other shirt but the one in which he played 700 games."
Xavi makes 700th Barcelona appearance
Xavi came off the bench to make his 700th appearance for Barcelona as he replaced Cesc Fabregas in the Catalans' Copa del Rey clash at Getafe on Thursday night.
The midfielder has held the record for official appearances for the Blaugrana ever since overtaking the club's former defender Migueli (549 games) in 2011 and is also well clear of current captain Carles Puyol, who started at Getafe in what was his 589th competitive fixture for Barca.
Xavi made his debut under Louis van Gaal in 1998 and won La Liga in his first season with the first team, when he was also named as the Primera Division's Breakthrough Player of the Year.
However, constant comparisons with then-captain and Spain midfielder Pep Guardiola led Xavi to consider his future with the Catalan side, and he has admitted he was close to leaving Camp Nou early on in his career.
The midfielder's most successful spell at the club then came, ironically, with Guardiola as coach between 2008 and 2012, when Pep's team claimed 14 trophies, including three Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.
Xavi, who admitted this week that current Bayern boss Guardiola vetoed a possible move to the Bavarians in 2008, has also been linked with a possible summer switch to New York Red Bulls but claims he hopes to end his career at Camp Nou.
The World Cup-winning midfielder and twice European champion with Spain is also Barca's most decorated player, having won 22 major trophies since making his debut for the Blaugrana.
After the game against Getafe, which Barca won 2-0 thanks to a double from Lionel Messi, Xavi revealed that the shirt from his 700th game would be donated to the Catalan club.
"The shirt will go in the [Barca] museum," he said. "The club have already asked me."
Xavi came off the bench to make his 700th appearance for Barcelona as he replaced Cesc Fabregas in the Catalans' Copa del Rey clash at Getafe on Thursday night.
The midfielder has held the record for official appearances for the Blaugrana ever since overtaking the club's former defender Migueli (549 games) in 2011 and is also well clear of current captain Carles Puyol, who started at Getafe in what was his 589th competitive fixture for Barca.
Xavi made his debut under Louis van Gaal in 1998 and won La Liga in his first season with the first team, when he was also named as the Primera Division's Breakthrough Player of the Year.
However, constant comparisons with then-captain and Spain midfielder Pep Guardiola led Xavi to consider his future with the Catalan side, and he has admitted he was close to leaving Camp Nou early on in his career.
The midfielder's most successful spell at the club then came, ironically, with Guardiola as coach between 2008 and 2012, when Pep's team claimed 14 trophies, including three Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.
Xavi, who admitted this week that current Bayern boss Guardiola vetoed a possible move to the Bavarians in 2008, has also been linked with a possible summer switch to New York Red Bulls but claims he hopes to end his career at Camp Nou.
The World Cup-winning midfielder and twice European champion with Spain is also Barca's most decorated player, having won 22 major trophies since making his debut for the Blaugrana.
After the game against Getafe, which Barca won 2-0 thanks to a double from Lionel Messi, Xavi revealed that the shirt from his 700th game would be donated to the Catalan club.
"The shirt will go in the [Barca] museum," he said. "The club have already asked me."
Xavi: 700th Barcelona appearance was 'very special'
Xavi admitted that Thursday's 2-0 Copa del Rey win over Getafe was "a very special game" after he made his 700th Barcelona appearance.
The 33-year-old replaced Cesc Fabregas in the second half to reach the latest milestone in a remarkable career for the Catalans, who were victorious in their second-leg clash thanks to a double from Lionel Messi.
"It's a very special game. I still feel important, I'm happy and enjoying another year. I can't ask for more," he told TV3 after the match.
"The team's good, everyone played well and we're not dropping our level based on who we're playing. We're enjoying it, which is what counts."
Dani Alves tweeted his congratulations to the Catalunya icon after the game, including a photo of him posing with Xavi. Messi scored twice upon his first start for the club since his thigh injury in November and Xavi believes the Argentine star will soon be back at his very highest level.
"Messi was doing very well in Argentina, he is very happy. He's coming back to how good he was," said his midfield team-mate.
Barcelona's 6-0 aggregate win was soured by a first-half injury to Neymar, who was withdrawn after going over awkwardly on his ankle.
Xavi believes the problem is not a serious one but stressed the club would have to wait for the results of further medical examinations on Friday.
"It seems like it's not serious but we will have to wait for the tests," he added.
Xavi admitted that Thursday's 2-0 Copa del Rey win over Getafe was "a very special game" after he made his 700th Barcelona appearance.
The 33-year-old replaced Cesc Fabregas in the second half to reach the latest milestone in a remarkable career for the Catalans, who were victorious in their second-leg clash thanks to a double from Lionel Messi.
"It's a very special game. I still feel important, I'm happy and enjoying another year. I can't ask for more," he told TV3 after the match.
"The team's good, everyone played well and we're not dropping our level based on who we're playing. We're enjoying it, which is what counts."
Dani Alves tweeted his congratulations to the Catalunya icon after the game, including a photo of him posing with Xavi. Messi scored twice upon his first start for the club since his thigh injury in November and Xavi believes the Argentine star will soon be back at his very highest level.
"Messi was doing very well in Argentina, he is very happy. He's coming back to how good he was," said his midfield team-mate.
Barcelona's 6-0 aggregate win was soured by a first-half injury to Neymar, who was withdrawn after going over awkwardly on his ankle.
Xavi believes the problem is not a serious one but stressed the club would have to wait for the results of further medical examinations on Friday.
"It seems like it's not serious but we will have to wait for the tests," he added.
Messi: Barcelona need Neymar
Lionel Messi has stressed that Neymar would be a big loss for Barcelona after the Brazilian sprained his ankle in the 2-0 Copa del Rey win over Getafe on Thursday.
The 21-year-old fell awkwardly early in the Catalans' 6-0 aggregate victory over the Madrid club and was assisted off the pitch by medical staff, visibly in a lot of pain.
Coach Gerard Martino moved to play down fears that Neymar could be out of action for a long time after the match and Messi, who has only just returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines himself, is hoping that the Selecao star can return to action swiftly.
"What happened to Neymar is a real shame," the 26-year-old told reporters. "Tomorrow there will be more tests.
"We hope it's nothing bad, we need him, he's important for the team."
Neymar's injury woes shifted the limelight away from Messi in Thursday's win, with the Argentine scoring his third and fourth goals of 2014 in the second-leg last-16 encounter - the second of which came after a brilliant solo run.
Messi, however, thinks he is still some way off the pace as he continues his comeback from six weeks out of action.
"I feel good, but I still lack that little extra," he added. "I need some more playing time to catch the rhythm and be at my best."
Barca now have three games with Levante on the horizon - first on Sunday in La Liga, then twice in consecutive midweeks in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
Lionel Messi has stressed that Neymar would be a big loss for Barcelona after the Brazilian sprained his ankle in the 2-0 Copa del Rey win over Getafe on Thursday.
The 21-year-old fell awkwardly early in the Catalans' 6-0 aggregate victory over the Madrid club and was assisted off the pitch by medical staff, visibly in a lot of pain.
Coach Gerard Martino moved to play down fears that Neymar could be out of action for a long time after the match and Messi, who has only just returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines himself, is hoping that the Selecao star can return to action swiftly.
"What happened to Neymar is a real shame," the 26-year-old told reporters. "Tomorrow there will be more tests.
"We hope it's nothing bad, we need him, he's important for the team."
Neymar's injury woes shifted the limelight away from Messi in Thursday's win, with the Argentine scoring his third and fourth goals of 2014 in the second-leg last-16 encounter - the second of which came after a brilliant solo run.
Messi, however, thinks he is still some way off the pace as he continues his comeback from six weeks out of action.
"I feel good, but I still lack that little extra," he added. "I need some more playing time to catch the rhythm and be at my best."
Barca now have three games with Levante on the horizon - first on Sunday in La Liga, then twice in consecutive midweeks in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
Del Piero: Juventus return a possibility
Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has hinted he could return to the Scudetto winners in the future.
The striker, 39, left Turin in 2012 to play for Sydney FC - where he still resides - after 19 years at the Turin giants, having lifted European and domestic trophies galore including a final, championship-winning season.
Although his playing days in a Bianconeri shirt are unquestionably over, the former Italy international harbours hope he will be back at the reigning Serie A champions in another capacity someday.
"I will not rule out a return to Juventus," he told Rai Sport. "During my life I have never closed the door to anything or anyone, let alone if those doors are to a possible return to Turin.
"When I left I felt dazed. I had a love affair with Juventus and will have one forever."
Del Piero also complimented the way that Antonio Conte's men have shone in Serie A this season as they chase their third consecutive Italian title.
"Juventus this year have brought to mind a particular adjective: awesome," the Juve icon continued.
"Conte is their engine but the players have shown their willingness to succeed under him."
Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has hinted he could return to the Scudetto winners in the future.
The striker, 39, left Turin in 2012 to play for Sydney FC - where he still resides - after 19 years at the Turin giants, having lifted European and domestic trophies galore including a final, championship-winning season.
Although his playing days in a Bianconeri shirt are unquestionably over, the former Italy international harbours hope he will be back at the reigning Serie A champions in another capacity someday.
"I will not rule out a return to Juventus," he told Rai Sport. "During my life I have never closed the door to anything or anyone, let alone if those doors are to a possible return to Turin.
"When I left I felt dazed. I had a love affair with Juventus and will have one forever."
Del Piero also complimented the way that Antonio Conte's men have shone in Serie A this season as they chase their third consecutive Italian title.
"Juventus this year have brought to mind a particular adjective: awesome," the Juve icon continued.
"Conte is their engine but the players have shown their willingness to succeed under him."
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