Lionel Messi rejoined Barcelona training on Monday, when he started to run in isolation and do ball work for the first time since tearing a ligament in his left knee back on Sept. 26.
The quadruple Ballon d'Or winner, who was closely supervised by doctors from both Barcelona and the Argentinean national team at the Ciutat Esportiva, has reached the final stage of his recovery and, with the eagerly Clasico against Real Madrid still 11 days away, the most optimistic Cules are hoping their club's all-time leading scorer will make a glorious return at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, while the prospect of Barca's No. 10 returning to haunt historical rivals in front of a worldwide audience is attractive, common sense must prevail. If doctors have the slightest doubt about Messi's full fitness, Luis Enrique should put the player's long-term health first.
Even if Messi himself insists on being included in the starting XI, caution is essential. His eagerness to play whenever fit enough has been well-documented over the years but the 28-year-old should be mature enough to know that, although his heart may feel otherwise, it is his body and knee he needs to listen to first.
Currently sitting at the top of the La Liga standings with a three-point cushion ahead of second-placed Madrid, the Catalans will travel to the Spanish capital without a desperate need to achieve victory.
Sure, the morale boost of defeating Los Blancos at their own stadium would prove invaluable, but knowing that Barca's worst-case scenario is ending the game level on points with Rafa Benitez's men is definitely reassuring.
With that in mind, allowing Messi to take as much rest as needed makes perfect sense. Ultimately, the Argentinean's well-being and availability for the remainder of the season are far more important than the three points at stake in the Bernabeu.
Doubters expected the Blaugranas to struggle terribly without their talisman leader. While the team's performance level in the first couple of matches following his injury dropped significantly, progress since has been remarkable since thanks to stellar individual contributions from attacking partners Neymar and Luis Suarez, as well as the return of Andres Iniesta and the team's defensive improvement.
Unsurprisingly, Barca supporters are particularly impressed with Neymar's recent display of skills, not only when dribbling against rivals, but also in front of the opponents' goal.
The Brazilian's jaw-dropping volley against Villarreal, following a ludicrous flick of the ball over his marker and 180-degree-turn, was an instant masterpiece. While not all as spectacular in terms of aesthetics as that, the 10 goals Neymar has scored during Messi's absence are a true testament to his conscious effort to step up and lead during a potentially difficult period for the team.
Still only 23 years of age, after two years at the club the Brazilian is slowly but surely reaching a level of influence that is on par with legendary compatriots such as Ronaldinho or Rivaldo.
An absolute genius with the ball on his feet, virtually impossible to contain when running past defenders and generous enough to use his vision to find open partners, Neymar fully deserves the starring role that Luis Enrique has granted him in Messi's absence.
Sharing the dressing room with exemplary role models such as Xavi, Iniesta or Messi himself has definitely helped Neymar understand that empowering others to excel is actually more important than chasing glory on an individual level.
Now equally focused on providing to others as putting his own name on the scoresheet, the Brazilian youngster has made decisive steps towards becoming the world's best player in the not-too-distant future.
Barcelona supporters are fortunate to have the most deadly attacking trident in football history at their disposal. The absence of the best player on the planet could have spelt disaster for Luis Enrique's depleted squad, but instead has meant that both Neymar and Suarez have become a more primary attacking focus and far more effective as a result.
The manager will be missing the injured Ivan Rakitic and Rafinha against Madrid, while 11 others players have left for international duty. Having the core of the team travelling the world is certainly not the best way to prepare for the most important game of the season so far but, then again, such inconvenience is a direct consequence of the players' quality.
Here's hoping for a safe return from Neymar and the rest of the Blaugranas who are currently away with their national teams!