Messi will be sidelined for 4 or 5 weeks according to the Club’s Medical Services. Ecography performed on Sunday revealed that he has torn the upper part of the femoral biceps in his left thigh.

If the diagnosis is correct, the player will miss between 5 and 7 Barça matches. These begin with the end of year classic against Real Madrid, then the cup game with Alcoyano and league encounters with Mallorca, Murcia and Racing Santander.

And then there are also the games in the next round of the cup, assuming Barça get through the round in which they are pitted against Alcoyano.