体坛英语新闻：Messi expresses solidarity with injured players in bus accident

BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Argentinean soccer star Lionel Messi expressed his support on Thursday for the players from local team Club Atletico Huracan, injured after their bus overturned while on the way to the airport in Caracas, Venezuela.

"(I send my) strength and support to Club Atletico Huracan, their players and coaching staff, especially Pato Toranzo, Diego Mendoza and Pablo Santaella. I wish them all a speedy recovery. I send a big hug to everyone," Messi wrote on his official Facebook account.

In this way the Barcelona (Spain) and Argentina forward sympathized with his compatriots.

The bus transporting the team was headed to Caracas's international airport to return to Buenos Aires when the brakes stopped working and the vehicle overturned on Wednesday in a mountainous area.

Patrico Toranzo (33), former player for China's Shanghai Shenhua, was the worst affected by the accident. Four of his toes on his left foot had to be partially amputated. However, the president of the soccer club, Alejandro Nadur, said later that the injury was not as serious as previously thought.

It is thought that the talented midfielder will still be able to continue playing after he recovers.

The team returned to Buenos Aires on Thursday via Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's private plane.

Toranzo, along with his injured team mate Mendoza and the physical trainer Santaella, will return to Argentina on Friday as they have not yet been discharged from hospital.

Atletico Huracan were in Venezuela to play against Caracas Football Club on Tuesday. The Argentinian side lost the match 2-1. However, a last minute goal by Mendoza allowed the team to qualify for the group stage of the Copa Libertadores de America, thanks to the 1-0 victory in the first leg.