Barcelona will reportedly be without Lionel Messi for a third match in succession this weekend.
Having suffered a calf problem while on international duty with Argentina over the summer, Messi has not featured against either 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.
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.
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