Barça to miss Messi for last-eight games
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Article summary
Lionel Messi will miss both legs of FC Barcelona's UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie after being ruled out for six weeks with a torn muscle in his left thigh.
Article top media content
Article body
Recurring problem
The 22-year-old Argentinian was forced to leave the pitch 38 minutes into last night's 1-0 win against Celtic FC, which completed a 4-2 aggregate victory for Frank Rijkaard's side. Suffering the damage during a sprint, Messi left the field in distress having also torn muscle in his left thigh in a league game against Valencia CF in December, an injury which resulted in a one-month absence from the first team.
Crucial period
Club doctors have ruled Messi out for six weeks, meaning he will miss a crucial period with Barça still in the running for three trophies. He is expected to miss six Primera División games, both legs of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Valencia, as well as the final on 16 April, should Barça make it. The draw for the last eight and semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League will be held in Nyon on 14 March.
