Messi out as Barça injuries mount
Monday, November 13, 2006
Article summary
Lionel Messi faces "three months" out of action after breaking his foot, as Edmílson and Javier Saviola joined the forward on the sidelines at FC Barcelona.
Article body
FC Barcelona could be without Lionel Messi for "around three months" after the Argentinian international forward suffered a foot injury during Sunday's 3-1 Primera División win against Real Zaragoza.
Broken foot
The 19-year-old limped off in the first half and the European champions confirmed today that he has broken the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. "He will need surgery and the estimated lay-off is around three months," Barcelona stated. Messi, who has made nine league and three UEFA Champions League appearances this term, will therefore miss the Catalan club's remaining Group A games against PFC Levski Sofia and Werder Bremen. The first leg of any first knockout round tie, scheduled for 20 February, may also come too soon for Messi.
Saviola setback
Another Argentina forward, 24-year-old Javier Saviola, injured his left thigh after scoring Barcelona's third goal against Zaragoza and will be absent for six weeks. Brazilian international midfielder Edmílson, meanwhile, twisted an ankle in the match, sidelining the 30-year-old for around ten days. Right-back Juliano Belletti (right calf), striker Samuel Eto'o (knee surgery) and midfielder Xavi Hernández (fractured tibia) are also out of coach Frank Rijkaard's plans.
