Barcelona have issued an update on Lionel Messi’s injury as he races to be fit for his side’s Champions League showdown with Inter Milan.
Club legend Messi was forced off with a thigh injury during Barcelona’s 2-1 La Liga win over Villarreal on Tuesday in what was his first start of the season.
Messi had missed the first four games of the La Liga campaign with a separate calf injury, with Barcelona winning only two of those games.
‘The Goat’ returned as a substitute in Barca’s Champions League opener, a 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund, and again came off the bench in the 2-0 defeat to Granada on Saturday.
But after his first start of the season was cut short on Tuesday, Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde is desperately hoping Messi returns soon, with the club currently fifth in La Liga and in need of a win in their tough Champions League group.
(Image: REUTERS)
A club statement said: “First team player Leo Messi has a strain in the adductor of his left thigh. He is out and his recovery will dictate his availability.”
Barcelona face Getafe on Saturday desperate for points to catch Real Madrid , Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Granada above them, while they host Serie A leaders Inter Milan next Wednesday.
Villarreal coach Javi Calleja said his side were a match for Barcelona once Messi had been forced off .
(Image: FRIEDEMANN VOGEL/EPA-EFE/REX)
He said after Tuesday’s game: “The team worked to ensure he was not decisive. When he’s on the pitch he makes a difference, although it’s true he had some discomfort.
“Without Messi they are not as superior, that is evident, but we know how to stop them. We were unable to do more damage or defend better at the beginning.”
Valverde had said after the match: “Messi only has minor discomfort in the adductor of his left leg, we didn’t want to risk it. In principle it’s just that.”
