Edichaj's Blog

Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be sidelined for the next three weeks due to a groin strain, dealing a huge blow to his club and country. “To lose Lionel Messi means football loses and we lose,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique. Messi limped off just before the hour mark of the Spanish champions’ 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. The Argentine captain is set to miss his country’s World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay next month as well as Barca’s Champions League clash at Borussia Moenchengladbach. Messi will also sit on the Catalans’ La Liga trips to Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo. However, Messi should be fit in time for a reunion with old boss Pep Guardiola when Manchester City visit the Camp Nou on Champions League duty on October 19. The five-time World Player of the Year missed Argentina’s World Cup qualifier with Venezuela earlier this month due to the problem and only started Barca’s shock 2-1 defeat to Alaves 10 days ago on the bench as c...

Barcelona has confirmed that Lionel Messi is out with a persistent groin injury. The La Liga champions had noted the injury, before Messi made his return to international football with Argentina, in a 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay last week. Messi is now unlikely to play for Barca against Alaves this weekend. A club statement said: “Tests conducted today on first team player Leo Messi have confirmed that the discomfort in his left adductor muscle persists. “It’s advised he lowers the burden of training in the coming days and the evolution of the injury will mark his availability to return to action.” Source: Nigerianeye

Barcelona have told Javier Mascherano they do not want him to leave amid reports in Spain and Italy that Juventus are attempting to lure him to Turin. The defensive midfielder, who is 32 on Wednesday, is under contract until June 2018 and has a €100 million release clause. Mascherino said to Ole newspaper: "Barca have let me know that they have no intention of me leaving. They are very happy with me. "When the club, and even more so this club, tells you this, it is very difficult to leave. I am not going to force anything. Nobody involved deserves that. "There is always the possibility of leaving, but also of staying. I have a contract with Barcelona. They have treated me very well, I have no complaints," said the Argentine who is with his national squad in the United States for the Copa America. Mascherano started 44 games for Barca last season, helping them win the league and cup double, and has been a regular since signing from Liverpool i...