Lionel Messi: Barcelona star will miss Huesca clash after suffering ‘significant bruise’ ahead of second leg against Man Utd

Lionel Messi could be unavailable for the weekend’s clash against Huesca after suffering a bruise against Manchester United.

Lionel Messi is reportedly not in a good position to make the team sheet for the weekends’ clash against Huesca due to ‘significant bruise’ he suffered against Manchester United on Wednesday. When the Argentine International had the ball in control, but Chris Smalling took him out which resulted in sudden bleeding from his face.

The 31-year-old continued for the rest of the game and lead his side to a 1-0 victory over the Red Devils at Old Trafford. It was not a perfect game for the leading scorer of Barcelona, but he produced an incisive ball which went straight to Luis Suarez. Barcelona’s number 9 header took a tiny deflection off Luke Shaw to end up in the back of the net. It was not an ideal performance from Ernesto Valverde’s men, but the result is not too bad.

That blow to Messi’s face meant that the number 10 was unable to have his usual influence on the game and received some nasty blemishes on his nose and face following a challenge from Chris Smalling.

According to Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens of ESPN FC, the forward is unlikely to be involved for the weekend’s clash against Huesca after finishing the game with a bloodied face.

After the game, Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde provided more detail on the severity of the injury, per Ramiro Aldunate of Marca.

“Messi wasn’t so comfortable after the blow,” Valverde said. “We have to examine him tomorrow to see how he is. He was strong, but he has quite a significant bruise.”

The reigning Spanish Champions moved yet closer to the La Liga triumph following the victory over Atletico Madrid. Even without an injury, Valverde would have rested Lionel Messi when the relegation contenders visit Nou Camp on Saturday. He would be totally given an off day unless his side requires his presence on Saturday.

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Barcelona have back-to-back home against Huesca and Manchester United in the La Liga and Champions League Quarterfinals respectively.