• Champions League

Messi to miss Celtic-Barca Champions League clash

ESPN staff
September 29, 2013
Lionel Messi limped off the pitch against Almeria on Saturday © Getty Images
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Barcelona have confirmed Lionel Messi will be sidelined for two to three weeks after suffering a thigh injury against Almeria on Saturday, meaning he will miss his side's Champions League clash with Celtic.

Messi, who opened the scoring in the 2-0 La Liga win, was substituted in the 29th minute as a precaution.

However, tests on Sunday morning have shown Messi will sit out Barca's trip to Celtic Park on Tuesday and the Primera Division game against Real Valladolid next Saturday.

An official club statement said: "Leo Messi has a small injury to the biceps femoris (thigh) in his right leg.

"This was confirmed by medical tests undertaken by the player on Sunday morning at Medical Services Sport City."

The news will come as a blow to coach Gerardo Martino who is already planning the trip to Scotland, where Barca lost last season, without defenders Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba and Carles Puyol who are all injured.

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