Messi, Neymar still doubtful for Club World Cup final

Published 12/19/2015, 1:36 PM EST

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via Reuters

YOKOHAMA (Reuters) – Barcelona forwards Lionel Messi and Neymar are still doubtful for the Club World Cup final against River Plate, coach Luis Enrique told reporters on Saturday.

Messi missed Thursday’s semi-final against Guangzhou Evergrande because of pain casued by a kidney stone and Neymar was recovering from a small strain in his adductor muscle.

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“The two are improving,” said Luis Enrique without giving further details.

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Team captain Andres Iniesta added. “They haven’t been able to train and it will depend on how their sensations, I hope they can play.”

European champions Barcelona meet River, their South American counterparts, on Sunday.

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Messi never played professionally in Argentina and has faced an Argentine side only once before, when Barcelona met Estudiantes in the 2009 final.

(editing by Justin Palmer)

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