foxsports
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says he will rest Lionel Messi for the team's preseason friendly against a South Korean all-star team as the Argentina playmaker continues to recover from the World Cup.
Messi has traveled with Barcelona for its tour of East Asia, but Guardiola said the player "will not be there" for the game on Wednesday.
Guardiola said "this is the first training for him for the new season so his condition is not 100 percent."
The decision is a blow to organizers, who have been criticized for high ticket prices and agreeing to the absence of Barcelona's Spanish World Cup winning contingent.
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Korean organizer Sports Story said Barcelona is contractually obligated to play Messi for at least 30 minutes.
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