Barca’s Messi begins rehab to finish healing leg

FILE – In this April 9, 2011 file photo, FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi from Argentina, celebrates after scoring during his Spanish La Liga soccer match against Almeria at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain. On Friday, Dec. 20, Messi criticized a Barcelona vice president who said he doesn’t deserve a better contract. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)

BARCELONA, Spain  — Barcelona says Lionel Messi will begin a period of physical rehabilitation to complete his recovery from a leg injury.

Barcelona says medical tests “confirmed the good progress” of Messi’s left hamstring tear and that now he will focus on building up the strength in his leg.

Messi hasn’t played since hurting his leg on Nov. 29. Barcelona expects him to return to the pitch in early January.

He is recovering in his home country of Argentina.