The Argentine forward tore his adductor in the 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday and now needs time out to recover fully and avoid a recurrence. It was a golden opportunity for Barcelona. Right before the Catalans kicked off against Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou, Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Villareal. But not only did Luis Enrique's side fail to capitalise, but they lost Lionel Messi to injury. Barca looked set to beat Atleti after taking a first-half lead through Ivan Rakitic, but the second period brought bad news: Sergio Busquets was forced off due to a bout of flu, Messi limped out with an adductor injury and moments later, Angel Correa made it 1-1.
That is how it stayed and it was a missed opportunity for the champions. But a draw against Atleti is the least of their worries. More important is the health of their finest footballer - and early signs are not positive. Messi injured his knee ligaments this time last year in a home match against Las Palmas and missed two months of the season. Barca coped without him back then - and they will have to again this time.
The Blaugrana confirmed later that the Argentine has "an adductor tear in his right leg" and he is now expected to be sidelined for three weeks. Maybe more. Asked afterwards about his star player, Luis Enrique said: "I would like to have studied medicine, but I chose to be a footballer. We will try to take care of him, but the pain persists. With this calendar, it is going to be difficult." Barca now face Sporting Gijon in La Liga, before an away trip to Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League, Primera Division clashes versus Celta Vigo and Deportivo La Coruna and then a mouthwatering meeting with Manchester City at Camp Nou on October 19. And while it would be ideal to count on Messi for those matches, and in particular the game against City, there is absolutely no point in hurrying him.
If he is brought back too soon, he could do further damage and end up being sidelined for a longer period. Whatever the calendar, there is no need and no point in taking the risk. "My groin hurts a lot," Messi said recently on international duty with Argentina when he was in pain but still played for his country against Uruguay before returning to Barcelona early. "It is messed up and it could get worse. I always want to play, but the truth is that the season is just starting and there are a lot of important matches ahead of us." Indeed there are and if the 29-year-old does not sit out for three to four weeks to recover fully, Barca will end up regretting it. Better now than in April or May.
