Barcelona full-back Adriano says he would bet that Lionel Messi will be fit to play in the season's first Clasico against Real Madrid on Nov. 21.
Messi has been sidelined with a knee injury since Sept. 26. AS has reported that Barca plan for Messi to begin the game on the bench, but Argentina national team doctor Homero De Agostino says the player could further injury his knee if he played.
But Adriano said Messi is acting like his usual self as he tries to recover in time for the game at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
"He is recovering very well, doing everything to get to the game and to have him in the team changes a lot," Adriano told Mundo Deportivo. "There's a difference when he plays or doesn't, but in his absence we've managed to come together and move forward in matches.
"Every day he's been the Leo we're accustomed to: laughing, joking, and doing things with confidence.
"Would I put money on him playing in the Clasico? Hopefully, yes."
With Messi out, Neymar has stepped up for Barcelona, scoring 13 goals in all competitions. Adriano said the Brazilian's success has come as no surprise.
"There's been a big development in all aspects, and now I think it's hard to see Barca without him," Adriano said. "I'm happy for him because I always trusted him. Hopefully it stays like this, not only an example for Barca but for Brazil.
"He can make history here, and I think he, Messi and Luis Suarez will be Ballon d'Or finalists. There are no egos. They help each other and the whole team. There's a very good atmosphere and if you don't get something here, your teammate is next to you and helps you."
Adriano himself has played sparingly this season after a proposed move to Roma fell through and he signed a new deal until 2017. Asked why he didn't join Roma, Adriano said Barcelona convinced him to stay.
"The coach, [sporting director] Robert Fernandez, [board member] Raul Sanllehi and even the president," he said. "On the way back from the [pre-season] tour we talked on the plane and they said they didn't want me to leave.
"It wasn't me who rejected the offer, it's that the club didn't want to sell. The proposal was very good, but talking to the coach convinced me because he said he had confidence in me, and the president as well.
"Yes, I have renewed my contract. I am a Barca player until June 30, 2017. Whether or not there's an escape clause is private.
"To this day I don't think about leaving or not, only to be 100 percent and have the coach's confidence. Otherwise I don't care, I don't worry about my future."