Ernesto Valverde offered an update on Lionel Messi after his captain was substituted at half-time of Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Villarreal on Tuesday.
Messi was making his first start of the season after a calf injury but seemed to pick up another problem in the first half of the clash.
He was replaced at half-time by Ousmane Dembele, and Valverde confirmed after the match he was feeling some discomfort.
Valverde: "He had some discomfort in his adductor and we preferred not to risk him."
— Tom Allnutt (@TomAllnuttAFP) September 24, 2019
Reports are already circulating that the injury will keep Messi out of Saturday’s trip to Getafe, where the club will look to pick up their first away win of the season.