Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde says he does not know when Lionel Messi will return to action after another injury setback, as his side travel to Getafe on Saturday in La Liga seeking a first away win in eight matches in all competitions.
Barca’s all-time top scorer has not managed to complete 90 minutes this season due to a series of injuries and had to be taken off at halftime during his side’s 2-1 win at home to Villarreal on Tuesday with a thigh strain.
“I don’t know how long he will be out for we hope he can return to the team soon,” Valverde told a news conference.
“It’s not serious, it’s a small strain but we’re going to see how he improves next week.”
Messi has been ruled out of the trip at Getafe and will be fighting to be fit in time for Barca’s Champions League game at home to Inter Milan next Wednesday and a difficult league match at home to Sevilla the following Sunday.
Barca were dealt another blow ahead of the game as teenage sensation Ansu Fati was also ruled out of the game at Getafe after complaining of discomfort in his right knee.
Fati, 16, has netted in two of his five appearances since breaking into the first team and last month became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer.