Barcelona confirmed on Wednesday that Lionel Messi has suffered an adductor injury but have stopped short of saying how long he will be out of action for.
The captain was replaced at half-time of Tuesday’s win over Villarreal due to the problem, although it is not the same injury that saw him miss the start of the campaign.
“First team player Leo Messi has elongated his left adductor. He is out and his recovery will determine his availability.”
The injury will rule him out of Saturday’s trip to Getafe but given that it is being described as a strain rather than a tear suggests it is not a serious problem.