Breaking: Messi ruled out of Real Betis clash

FC Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi has been excluded from the Barcelona squad that will face Real Betis later this evening.

The Superstar was left out of the La Liga clash to enable him recover fully from a calf injury. Messi picked up the injury in his first pre-season training and ever since then, he has been struggling to comeback to full fitness.

He was also left out of La Liga opener against Athletic Club last Friday at San Mames, where Barcelona were defeated by 1-0, the five times Ballon d'Or winner was expected to return to action against Betis, but the team coach has made it clear on Saturday that Messi might not be part of Sunday's game. The player who resumed full training with the rest of the squad on Wednesday will hope to be fully fit for Barcelona's next game against Osasuna on Saturday.

Barcelona will be without Lionel Messi when they lock horns with Real Betis by 20:00 (West Africa Standard Time) at Camp Nou.

By Oladele Emmanuel Abiodun