Lionel Messi's hope of returning to action this weekend against Osasuna may be delayed after the Argentinian midfielder suffered another injury setback.
Messi has not featured for the Catalans in the 2019-2020 La Liga season due to injury. Having suffered a calf problem while on international duty with Argentina over the summer, Messi didn't play Athletic Bilbao or Celta Vigo.
The forward had been expected to play a part against Osasuna on Saturday, likely from the substitutes' bench, but it now appears that the 32-year-old will stay on the sidelines.
While Barcelona are said to have rejected RAC1's claim that Messi had suffered a setback, the playmaker did not train with the rest of the squad on Wednesday.
Messi is one of the best players on the planet, and his presence is surely going to be missed by Barcelona should he actually end up sitting on the sidelines for the next month.
As a result of the upcoming international break and the start of the Champions League next month, manager Ernesto Valverde is unlikely to take any risks on his star man.
Messi's continued absence will be a blow for manager Ernesto Valverde, as there are currently a number of injury issues he has to contend with in the attacking positions.
