..::Football III::..

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Messi will return in less than two months, says Argentina team doctor

Argentina team doctor Donato Villani is confident injured Barcelona star Lionel Messi will return to action in less than two months.

Messi is set to miss the next seven-to-eight weeks after suffering a tear in the internal collateral ligament of his left knee in Barcelona's 2-1 win over Las Palmas on Saturday.

The 28-year-old's injury is a blow for both Barca and Argentina, but Villani believes the national team captain will return quicker than expected.

"For years I've known Leo and I have no doubt that he will be ready in the shortest possible time of the injury, perhaps before that period of six-to-eight weeks," Villani told Ole.

"He gets mad when you cannot play. The desire to play again and the will to heal can influence."

Villani added: "There is a break in need of surgery. It heals with rest as a first step and then kinesiology."

 

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Van Gaal: Summer cull has improved Man United

Louis van Gaal believes his summer cull is behind Manchester United's rise to the top of the Premier League.

Van Gaal allowed Angel di Maria, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao to leave Old Trafford, while Javier Hernandez, Jonny Evans, Nani, Darren Fletcher and Rafael also departed.

United were also made a number of acquisitions, with Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Matteo Darmian all arriving at Old Trafford.

And Van Gaal feels his bold approach in the transfer market is now paying off, with United now top of the table for the first time under his management after beating Sunderland 3-0 on Saturday.

"You need luck, but the balance of the team is better than last season," said the 64-year-old manager.

"Because of that we need to win our games.

"We shall improve every week, yes. I don't see it every week, but see that we are better as a team and a selection.

"I rotate more now because I can. Last year in my opinion I didn't have the balance.

"I have let 20 or 25 players go. So it's a new team."

 

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Sterling and De Bruyne must perform or they will be replaced, warns Mangala

Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala has stressed that not even big-money signings Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne are guaranteed a starting berth due to the club's strength in depth.

The Frenchman made an impressive start to the season but the arrival of Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia has Mangala looking over his shoulder.

Nevertheless, Mangala has insisted that he is not the only player who faces stiff competition at City.

"Otamendi makes the team stronger and I know Nico really well, because I played with him at Porto. I know his skills and his level. If you are not giving your best, he is there [to take your place]," Mangala told Uefa's website.

"It is the same with every player. We bought Kevin De Bruyne, we bought Raheem Sterling, so it is the same for the forwards. They know they must perform because if they do not they will be replaced."

Mangala endured a difficult first season at City after joining from Porto in 2014, but he has made it clear that he feels confident at the Etihad Stadium now.

"My first season was a transitional year. It was very similar to the first season I spent at Porto. The only difference was the importance it assumed because I'd become a higher-profile player because of my transfer fee and the club I had joined. I'd reached another dimension," the centre-back said.

"But having that experience at Porto helped me put all the media, press and TV attention aside, and I could say to myself: 'No worries, take your time, no problem, you have a long-term contract, you will learn, you will get to know the league.'

"At the end of the season, I played in the last six games and I felt very confident and comfortable. Now I feel very comfortable and I know exactly what the Premier League is about."

 

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Draxler like Martial, says Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has singled out Julian Draxler as Wolfsburg 's main dangerman ahead of this week's Champions League encounter at Old Trafford and has likened the Germany international to Anthony Martial .

Draxler joined Wolfsburg from Schalke on deadline day as the Bundesliga club looked to replace Kevin De Bruyne following his move to Manchester City and Van Gaal still remembers the 22-year-old from his time with Bayerrn Munich.

"Draxler was a very young talent when I was in charge of Bayern, so I know him," Van Gaal told the official United website

"He has to go on a long road like Martial, although it could be a little bit shorter because he has been playing longer on that level.

"He is a very good player."

Wolfsburg were thrashed 5-1 by Bayern Munich last week as Robert Lewandowski netted five goals in nine minutes, but Van Gaal has warned that Dieter Hecking's men should not be underestimated.

"Of course I saw that game, but I also saw the first half and Wolfsburg were very strong. It is unbelievable that it happened in nine minutes," the Dutchman added.

United were beaten 2-1 by PSV in the first match of their Champions League campaign, while Arsenal and Manchester City also slumped to defeat, with Chelsea beng the only English side to bag the full three points.

However, Van Gaal remains optimistic all four Premier League representatives can progress.

He said: "The Premier League is a very difficult league. To beat your opponent every week is not easy, it is always a struggle and a battle. Then you have to play again mid-week in the Champions League and that is the difference between all the clubs in Europe.

"It is not predictable to say four teams in the Premier League shall overcome this group stage round, no, it is not like that. But I have to say that we have the teams to do it and we have the quality to do it."

 

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Magath: Klopp right man for Bayern

Former Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath believes Jurgen Klopp would be the ideal replacement for Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola's contract with Bayern expires at the end of the 2015-16 campaign and he has so far been in no rush to open talks over a renewal, while Klopp is a free agent after leaving Borussia Dortmund in the summer.

"The question who will be Bayern's next coach is more exciting than who will win the Bundesliga," Magath writes for TZ.

"Guardiola still refuses to make a decision on his future and I am sure the people in charge at Bayern are looking at alternatives. In Klopp there is a pretty obvious candidate.

"His agent was quick to rule out a move to Borussia Monchengladbach, probably because a bigger challenge awaits."In my opinion, Klopp would be a great fit at Bayern. The team and coaching staff might be very much Guardiola-oriented at the moment, but Bayern have already shown in the past that they can be pretty flexible.

"The fact that Klopp is a Dortmund man should not be an issue either. Manuel Neuer used to be a Schalke man and is now a Bayern figurehead."

The former BVB coach has recently been linked with Borussia Monchengladbach and Liverpool, but his representative stated last week that he is not ready to return to football just yet.

 

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Klopp top team 1kakata join wei kiyalane kiwwe anisa sure naha​

 

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Konoplyanka: If I had no ball control I'd have moved to Premier League


Sevilla winger Yevhen Konoplyanka has slammed the Premier League, and claims if he had poor ball control then he may have moved to the English top flight.

The Ukraine international was linked with Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham before joining the Europa League holders from Dnipro during the summer, and has scored three goals in his first seven appearances for the Liga outfit.

And Konoplyanka insists he made the right decision moving to Spain where he believes the football played is more technical than in England.

"If I was two-and-a-half metres tall and didn’t know how to control a ball then I may have gone to England, but here [in Spain], the football’s more technical. It’s the best," he said in an interview posted on his YouTube account.

"I don’t regret coming to Spain. I didn’t receive many offers.

"Some came from the Premier League and Sevilla and Atletico from Spain, but I kept thinking that Sevilla were right for me.

"I was very anxious when making my choice, to the point that I got nervous and lost three kilos beforehand. I loved Sevilla’s insistence on signing me, so I think I made the right decision."

 

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Wenger faces midfield reshuffle ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Olympiacos


Arsene Wenger could face another reshuffle in defensive midfield for Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Olympiacos on Tuesday evening.

The Gunners are without Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta for the match against the Greek champions, but while Francis Coquelin has returned to training following a knee injury, Wenger admits he has not decided whether the 24-year-old is fit enough to play.

"Coquelin is back training but we will see,” the Arsenal manager said on Monday. “Arteta and Flamini are not available."

Arsenal are looking for their first points in the Champions League this season after they slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb earlier in September, but Wenger’s men head into the fixture following victories over Tottenham and Leicester City in the League Cup and Premier League respectively.

Alexis Sanchez opened his account for the season with a hat-trick in the 5-2 win against Claudio Ranieri’s side on Saturday and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has praised the Chilean’s mentality.

“He is one of the most passionate players I know,” said the Arsenal midfielder.

“I look and learn from him.”

 

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Barcelona can cope without Messi, insists Luis Enrique

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique insists his side can cope with the absence of Lionel Messi.

The Argentine has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with the knee ligament injury he suffered during Saturday’s 2-1 win over Las Palmas.

But while Luis Enrique admits Messi will be “impossible to replace”, he is adamant that his team have the ability to adapt their style ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen at Camp Nou.

"All my players give always their top so I can't ask them more due to Messi’s absence,” said the Barca coach.

"Messi and Rafinha injuries are challenges for us.

"We will do what we have to do without Messi, a player like him is impossible to replace but we showed during the preseason we know how to play without him, we will introduce new players.

“We have already thought about changing our playing style without Messi because our main goal is to be on the top at the end of the season.”

Luis Enrique also confirmed that Claudio Bravo and Jordi Alba took part in training on Monday and are available to face Leverkusen.

 

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David Silva set for Manchester City return as Toure awaits diagnosis


Manchester City are confident of a triple injury boost ahead of their Champions League clash with Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday, with David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart all in line for a return to action.

City lost their European opener against Juventus a fortnight ago and travel to Germany needing to pick up all three points if they are to keep in touch with the Italians and Sevilla, who sit joint top of Group D.

Silva has missed the club's last three matches with a calf problem but is set to return for the game at Borussia Park having trained over the weekend.

There could also be good news for Kompany and Hart, who both sat out Saturday's heavy defeat at Tottenham in the Premier League.

Kompany, who was forced out of the 2-1 defeat to Juventus with a calf injury, had initially been named on the bench at White Hart Lane but was forced to pull out altogether.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini said his captain was still struggling with his calf and that he would be assessed in the earlier part of the week, but Goal understands the club are now hopeful he will return to the starting line-up.
It is a similar situation for Hart, who also missed the 4-1 loss in north London. Pellegrini claimed his goalkeeper had been suffering with a back complaint in the days leading up to the encounter, which also kept him out of the League Cup victory at Sunderland.

But after watching on from the bench as Willy Caballero struggled, City are also confident their No.1 will return on Wednesday.

There are concerns that Yaya Toure could face three weeks on the sidelines, however, after he was withdrawn early in the second half on Saturday.

The Ivorian has a tight hamstring and City are awaiting the result of scans to ascertain whether there is any further damage, with a pull likely to rule him out until the end of October.

That would mean he would be in a race to be fit to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on October 23.

Following two defeats in their last two Premier League matches, City have slipped behind their local rivals in the table.

 

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Mata: Manchester United still have a long way to go

Juan Mata has voiced his delight with Manchester United 's good start to the season, but has stressed that they have not won anything yet.

United returned to the top of the Premier League at the weekend, as they beat Sunderland 3-0, deposing rivals City in the process, with Manuel Pellegrini's side beaten 4-1 by Tottenham.

Yet Mata has stressed that Louis van Gaal's men still have a long way to go, as they attempt to secure the first silverware of the Dutchman's reign at Old Trafford.

"Our victory, together with City's defeat, took us to the top spot in the table, which is something new for me since I came to Manchester United," the Spain international wrote in his blog.

"From the first day I was hoping to see the team in this place that the club has occupied so many times in the past.

"These are happy days. That's the feeling I've had during the entire week, since things have gone pretty well lately. It's only the start of the season, but I believe that we deserve to enjoy such a good moment like this, and keep training hard to extend the good streak for a long time.

"As we can see, the day-to-day work is paying off, and I'm also happy for all of you, of course. It’s been a long time since you have experienced a situation like this and we hope to keep giving you a good vibe.

"Our current position is a consequence of the good work, but right now, still in September, it doesn't mean anything if we don't keep working, and we know that.

"We have ambition, but we are aware that the way ahead is very long and tough."

 

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Guardiola: I know why Arsenal lost to Dinamo

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola has warned his side that Dinamo Zagreb's win over Arsenal was no fluke.

The Bundesliga leaders host Zoran Mamic's side in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday after they shocked the Gunners in their opening game.

Guardiola believes Bayern's form is steadily improving this season but is under no illusions as to the challenge which awaits his side at the Allianz Arena.

"Every day and every week is important. The most important thing now is Dinamo Zagreb," he said.

"You'd normally think Arsenal would win in Zagreb, but then you watch the game and you see straight away why Dinamo won. They are very organised, very aggressive.

"They have very technical players and we need to approach the game with great seriousness.

"They played well in defence, with their players showing discipline by maintaining their shape. Forty-five games without losing... this must be a really strong squad - it won't be easy.

"It's a great opportunity to bring us into a good position for the game against Arsenal. You have to win your home games to get ahead.

"I have a lot of confidence in my team. Our development is good, we're getting a little better every game."

Guardiola revealed that Arturo Vidal is struggling with a minor knee complaint and Sebastian Rode may also miss the Dinamo clash, but there was better news regarding the returns of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.

"I hope Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are back soon. Then we can play with width," he said, adding that Robben could be fit to face Borussia Dortmund on October 4.

"But it's good for Bayern to have young players like Kingsley Coman and Douglas Costa. I hope they can achieve that kind of quality.

"[Javi] Martinez's knee has responded very well, he has no pain. But if he can play three games in a row, I don't know."

Guardiola also hailed the recent form of David Alaba, who missed much of the latter part of last season due to injury.

"It doesn't matter where David Alaba plays, he's always amazing," added the former Barcelona boss. "We can play different systems with him. I really missed him last year, but he's great at the moment."

 

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Oxlade-Chamberlain: Coquelin crucial to Arsenal

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has underlined Francis Coquelin's importance to Arsenal, with the Frenchman having returned from injury ahead of Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Olympiacos.

Coquelin has developed into a key player at the Emirates Stadium in recent months, having returned from a loan spell at Charlton in December, but has missed the last two games due to a knee injury.

The 24-year-old has recently resumed regular training, however, and Oxlade-Chamberlain has hailed his team-mate.

"Francis has always been an amazing player," the England midfielder said at a press conference. "When you're at a club like Arsenal, sometimes it can be hard to find opportunities, but he's someone who has a great attitude.

"Sometimes going out on loan can be hard for players to do but he's gone out on loan, proved himself by playing well then came back and took his opportunity. He's someone that I love having in the team.

"When I think about Arsenal I think he’s a massive vocal part of our team, and he proves that week after week and in training as well. Everything that he does is different to what a lot of the other boys in our team can do.

"I think that's crucial to the team because he brings something different. As long as he keeps doing that I'm sure he's going to keep progressing as a player and helping this team."

 

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Messi injury not cause for celebration - Hernandez

Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernandez has stressed he cannot take any pleasure from the absence of Lionel Messi in Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Barcelona.

The Argentina international famously netted five times against Leverkusen last time the sides met in Europe, but he will miss Tuesday's match due to a knee problem that will keep him out of action for up to two months.

Nevertheless, Hernandez saw no reason to celebrate Messi's absence as he feels sad to see a fellow professional sustain a serious injury.

"Messi's injury? It can't be good to celebrate any injury. There's nothing more important than your health," Hernandez told Marca."In life and in any profession what we all want is to be healthy. 'Bad luck', I thought when it happened. It's always bad when a player gets injured.

"Seeing another human being suffer is never a nice thing. You can't take any pleasure from it. Health is the most important thing in life."Looking forward to Tuesday's meeting, Hernandez refused to speculate over whether Messi's injury could prove decisive but does accept it could work in Leverkusen's favour.

"It's a question for the coach whether his injury changes things for us. For my part, if I play, I'll do what the coach tells me," he explained"We know they're the current champions. Of course his absence could have an influence given his ability and what he represents."

 

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Wenger prepared for 'must-win' Olympiacos test

Arsene Wenger says Tuesday's Champions League visit of Olympiacos is a "must-win" game as Arsenal look to progress from Group F.

The Gunners were beaten 2-1 by Dinamo Zagreb in their opening game of the competition earlier this month and welcome the Greek side to the Emirates Stadium in need of points ahead of a difficult clash with group favourites Bayern Munich in October.

Following a 5-2 success against Leicester City at the weekend, confidence is high among Wenger's squad, with Francis Coquelin in line for a return from his knee injury.

Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta are doubts however, as Wenger prepares for a crucial clash in north London.

"It is already a must-win. You sum it up well," he told reporters. "We have to win at home to qualify, as simple as that. we cannot afford to drop points at home now.

"Both teams will always try to go forward. At home, teams try to regroup and you have to be clinical.

"Coquelin has been back in training since yesterday. He looks alright. Flamini and Arteta have slight muscular problems."

 

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Fabregas: Chelsea aren't a bunch of babies

Cesc Fabregas claims Chelsea players aren't "babies" following a poor start to the season and he does not think some silverware is now out of reach.

The Blues have won just two of their first seven Premier League games of the new campaign in a stark contrast to their rampant form in 2014-15 which saw them storm to the title.

Ahead of Chelsea's visit to Porto on Tuesday in the Champions League, Fabregas stressed that it's more important to finish in fine form and insisted manager Jose Mourinho hasn't allowed them to take their foot off the gas.

"It's not how it starts, it's how it ends," the central midfielder told reporters. "You have to compete to the maximum every single game.

"Last season wasn't easy. It might have looked like it, but it wasn't. This isn't complacency. The manager wouldn't allow it.

"We are not babies. We have to start performing. There's no reason we can't win the league again. We can do better. We will do better. We have to start from now."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic memorably described Chelsea as "babies" last season when the Blues' complaints over a challenge led to the Paris Saint-Germain striker being sent off in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.

Chelsea won their opening Champions League group stage game 4-0 against Maccabi Tel Aviv a fortnight ago but, following a battling win over Arsenal, drew 2-2 with Newcastle United on Saturday.

 

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Mourinho: I'll salute Casillas

Jose Mourinho claims he will "salute" Iker Casillas in Tuesday's Champions League clash between Chelsea and Porto, in which the goalkeeper will become the competition's record appearance holder.

The coach is renowned for having feuded with Casillas behind the scenes in his final season at Real Madrid, in which there were allegations that his captain was leaking team news to media ahead of games.

Despite their past differences, Mourinho says there will be no bad blood between him and the Spain international - who swapped Madrid for Porto this summer - at the Estadio do Dragao.

"I know what you're asking," the Portuguese coach said when a Spanish reporter began asking a question regarding the veteran shot-stopper, who is set to play for a record 152nd time in the Champions League.

"I'll salute Casillas tomorrow. There's no point wasting time discussing it."

Mourinho ignited his managerial career at Porto just over a decade ago when he won the Uefa Cup followed by the Champions League and he praised Julen Lopetegui's men - who reached the last eight of the Champions League last season - for their quality squad.

"The fact Porto are top of the Portuguese league is totally normal because of the quality of their squad," he continued. "Away games in the Champions League are always difficult.

"Porto are a big side and want to win, but they also know we are not a weak team."

Mourinho added that everybody in his squad is fit and ready to play against Porto aside from injured goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Chelsea defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-0 in their opening group stage game of the campaign and followed that up with a 2-0 win at Arsenal, but their early-season struggles continued on Saturday when they 2-2 with Newcastle United.

 

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Cavani: Ibrahimovic and I set the standard at PSG

Edinson Cavani has asserted that he and Zlatan Ibrahimovic set the standard for a Paris Saint-Germain side whose first objective this season is to win the Champions League.

The Uruguayan striker has already scored eight goals in all competitions since the season began and he is relishing his relationship with Ibrahimovic on the pitch.

"It's great to play with world class players [like Zlatan],” he said in an interview with RMC.

“We both work together, we are the leading duo and we determine what everyone should do.”

Cavani has often had to endure criticism during his time in the French capital, but he says he understands that side of the game and is adamant he is happy where he is despite any transfer talk.

“It is not always easy, but I understand the criticism, yes,” he continued.

“I think it's normal, because in football [criticism] is constant. The best thing is not to listen, although criticism can be constructive — I'm always open to analysis.

“But Paris always showed desire to keep me, which is very important. For three years now a lot has been said, but I feel very good, really.

“Everything is positive now and I hope it will be a great year with Paris.

“We have the ambition to win trophies. I think that the club's first objective is to win the Champions League.

“[The Champions League] is important for the club and for this project — I hope we will win it.”

PSG’s Champions League quest sees them take on Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday after their opening-day win against Malmo, with Cavani adding he feels this is “the best PSG side” since he arrived from Napoli.

After Shakhtar, Marseille are up in France’s Clasico, a game which Cavani understands the importance of.

“This is something special because the Clasico is something very beautiful,” he said.
“Everyone wants to live these special games and we know what it means to the fans.”

 

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Smalling: Martial is the risk-taker United needed

Chris Smalling believes Anthony Martial offers a high-risk attacking style that Manchester United have been sorely lacking until this season.Martial joined from Monaco on transfer deadline day for a staggering £36million fee, which could rise to over £50m depending on bonuses.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed an explosive start to his Old Trafford career, however, scoring four times in five appearances and delivering a strong display as the lone striker in Saturday's 3-0 win over Sunderland.

And centre-back Smalling has hailed the way he has impacted upon United's style of play this season, telling their official matchday programme: "If you could ask for a moment to announce yourself on the world stage, it would be in a massive game like Liverpool at home [when he scored on his debut].

"It was a great moment and a lot of people took notice of how well he dribbled at players, how direct he was and how he took his goal. That's something we've needed this season.

"In that snippet against Liverpool, you get a real idea of how he is. He is someone who is very direct, he is willing to take on players and he is willing to take on that risk. I think, in the final third, it is an area where you can take that risk because you can't take it at the back. He looks a very sharp player."Smalling has been equally impressed by Matteo Darmian's form following his move from Torino in July.

"He has come into the club and he hasn't needed any time to settle in," added the 25-year-old. "He has literally hit the ground running and that is full credit to him, to be able to adjust to a different league and a different culture."He has improved the team in such a short space of time. There's a long way to go, but he's made a good start."

 

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Messi thanks well-wishers after injury

Lionel Messi has thanked well-wishers for their support after the Barcelona star was struck down for up to eight weeks with a knee injury.

Messi was forced off after just four minutes during his side's 2-1 La Liga win over Las Palmas on Saturday, with the club later confirming that he sustained ligament damage.And the Argentina captain took to social media on Monday to express his gratitude to fans who have sent him their regards.

"Thank you all for your supportive messages. For anyone who loves football, the hardest thing is not to be on the pitch. Now it's time to recover properly to come back. A big hug," Messi wrote on his official Facebook page.As well as missing several key fixtures in club colours, the Argentina captain is also set to sit out the nation's first four World Cup qualifiers.

Messi then faces a race against time to be fit for the first Clasico of the season, with Barca travelling to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid on November 22.