Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi is set to miss the two leg encounter against Manchester United in the Champions League quarter finals.
Messi, who has remained doubtful before complicated his injury report on Monday in the training.
Interestingly, this comes as a boost for Ole Gunnar Solkjear’s side.
Reacting on the injury setback, Barca’s conditioning coach Edu Pons revealed that the injury will likely keep Messi out for two weeks, even as he stressed the Argentine could also miss the reverse leg at Old Trafford.
“He’ll definitely miss the first leg. Messi has aggravated the pubic bone injury, and we believe that the area has been put under excessive strain,” the coach said.
Meanwhile, club boss Ernesto Valverde insists other squad members must unite together and fight as a group, even as he rued Messi’s injury.
“It’s obviously a big blow. Messi is the best player in the world, but we have to regroup and put it behind us,” Valverde said.
“The things Messi brings to the game are unmatchable, we all know it. It’s better for him to rest and come back stronger,” he summed up.
