Are Barcelona going to suffer as a hamstring problem keeps Messi out for this weekend’s La Liga clash with Real Mallorca?
During Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, Lionel Messi was substituted at half time after feeling a twinge in his right hamstring and he was then replaced by Cesc Fábregas.
It was uncertain how long the 25-year-old would be out for, as it was suspected that he may have torn his hamstring, meaning he would be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
However, after examination from the clubs medical services a statement was released, revealing that the injury was less severe than first anticipated and that the hamstring strain should only keep him out for between seven and ten days. As such, he could be available for the return leg of the Champions League tie at the Camp Nou.
Although Lionel Messi is going to be unavailable for this weekend, is it really such a problem for the La Liga leaders? Even though Messi is the club’s (as well as the league’s top scorer) with 43 goals for the 2012/13 season, statistics show that Barcelona have won more games without him being involved with the game than they have with him.
Is this right though? As out of 43 games he has been involved with this season for League games, Champions League fixtures and Copa Del Rey ties, he has scored 55 goals. He has had 212 shots – with 107 of them being on target. He also has tallied up 59 assists this campaign as he looks to win his fifth World Player of the Year Award for 2013.
It can be argued that Lionel Messi is a vital member of the FC Barcelona squad and that they are lucky the injury wasn’t as bad as they first thought. If he were to have been ruled out for the rest of the season, it could have resulted in the goals they scored lessening significantly and the amount of games being won decreasing.
Personally I think he is a key part of their attacking strike-force and he is a much needed player, not only for his goals but also for his assists and crosses in to the box.
What do you think? Do you think Barca would still top the La Liga table and continue to pursue their winning run in the Champions League without the assistance of Lionel Messi? Or would they subside to the likes of Real Madrid?
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No wahala without messi barca will still cope