Sep 282015
 

Barcelona star Lionel Messi is set to be on the sidelines for at least 8 weeks after tearing his knee ligament in their 2-1 win over Las Palmas on Saturday. The treble winners still managed to win the game despite losing their star man just minutes into the first half. Lionel Messi tore his ligament after colliding in an awkward way with an opponent as he tried to shot from the edge of the area. The four time ballon d’or winner was left on the ground wriggling in pain after the tackle as the team medics came to his rescue. He received treatments on the sidelines and returned to action but he couldn’t deal with the pain and was substituted shortly.

At the end of the match, the team confirmed the news of Messi’s injury which would require about two months off the pitch to heal. Barcelona would now have to rely on the likes of Neymar and Luis Suarez to keep the team on top until Messi’s return. Situations like this was one the reasons why Barcelona bought Brazilian striker Neymar and he would have to step forward and fill in the void left by Messi. Eight weeks out means Messi would miss Barcelona’s league games against Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano, Eibar, Getafe and Villareal. After these matches comes the international break which would give the player more time to relax. But just after the international break is their league match against Real Madrid. If there are no complications with his recovery, the Argentine player would be back in time to face their rivals but Barcelona would prefer to have him play at least one match before that game or he could just sit that one out as well.