Iniesta misses training as Barcelona step up Clasico preparations

Joe Wright

Iniesta misses training as Barcelona step up Clasico preparations image

Andres Iniesta missed Barcelona training just three days before what is likely to be his final chance to play in El Clasico.

The 33-year-old completed "specific work" away from the rest of the first-team squad during Thursday's session, the club confirmed.

Iniesta is reportedly struggling with a minor calf complaint, but it is hoped he will be fully fit for Sunday's clash with Real Madrid at Camp Nou.

The match is likely to be the Spain star's last for Barca against their bitter rivals, with the midfielder having confirmed last month he will leave the club at the end of the season.

He has been tipped to move to the Chinese Super League and is rumoured to have been offered a sizeable contract from Chongqing Dangdai Lifan.

According to El Mundo, Iniesta would earn €81million after tax on a three-year deal with the CSL club, who would also buy six million bottles of wine from his family business based in Fuentealbilla.

However, it is also reported the player is uncertain about relocating so far from Spain with his wife and children.

Joe Wright

Joe Wright Photo

Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News. He was previously a sub editor and writer for Goal.com before spending six years as part of the Stats Perform editorial news service, covering major global sports including football, tennis, boxing, NBA, rugby union and athletics. Joe has reported live on some of the biggest games in football, including two UEFA Champions League finals, Euro 2016, the Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 World Cup final at the end of a month in Russia.