
FC Barcelona will be without star player Leo Messi for at least three weeks, after it was confirmed that the Argentinean striker tore a groin muscle during his side's 1-1 draw at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
Messi was forced to leave the game in obvious discomfort after a tussle with Atletico defender Diego Godin. He was replaced by Arda Turan.
He will now miss Barca's next three games, which are away to Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo in the Liga Santander, and away to Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Champions League, in addition to Argentina's next two World Cup qualifying games in October.
The injury is a recurrence of the problems the striker suffered from the last time he was on international duty earlier in the month.
"We lose out and football also loses without Leo," lamented Barca coach Luis Enrique after the game. Nevertheless the coach remembered how Barcelona were able to survive without Messi when he was out for around 2 months with a different muscle injury last season.
"We are stronger with him in the side, but last year we found ourselves in a similar situation and the team was able to progress," he added.
The coach placed importance on his decision to change midfielder Sergio Busquets five minutes into the second half, explaining that the Spain international had been suffering from a fever.
"He didn't feel good and we didn't want to take any risks," explained Luis Enrique.
Source : XINHUA
GMT 18:30 2017 Tuesday ,26 December
FIFA trial: New York jury acquits former Peru soccer bossGMT 13:18 2017 Tuesday ,26 December
Early drama as Sydney to Hobart fleet race to break recordGMT 20:25 2017 Monday ,25 December
Klopp urges Liverpool to focus on Euro ambitionsGMT 18:35 2017 Monday ,25 December
Mutko suspends Russian football role to fight Olympic lifetime banGMT 10:11 2017 Monday ,25 December
Federer, Nadal shine as rivals hobble into 2018GMT 19:22 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Southampton's Austin charged with violent conductGMT 18:02 2017 Sunday ,24 December
'Tongan Bear' Uhila extends Clermont contractGMT 17:07 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Serena Williams to make competitive return in Abu Dhabi next week
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor