Lionel Messi Injury: Good News on Hamstring Means Barcelona Will Beat PSG

The good news on Lionel Messi's hamstring injury will be enough to propel Barcelona past Paris Saint-Germain in Champions League play...with or without Messi on the pitch. 

Messi could be seen clutching his hamstring just before halftime of Barcelona's draw on Tuesday against PSG. He missed the entire second half, and the club let it be known that he would need further evaluation. 

As ESPN reports, it was initially speculated that Messi was going to miss three weeks. This would have put him in serious jeopardy of missing the second leg of their matchup with PSG, which is scheduled for April 10. It would have also put him in danger of potentially missing the Champions League semifinal—should Barca advance—which is to be held on April 23 or 24.

With that being said, the outlook on Messi is considerably rosier now. Via his Facebook page, Messi said: "I will return soon. Thankfully it was not so serious."

The club also passed along a similar message (via Barcelona's official website): 

"

The Club’s medical services have revealed that Leo Messi’s hamstring injury will definitely rule him out of this weekend’s game against Mallorca, whilst his availability after that will depend on how the injury progresses.

"

The statement is vague on the subject of his return date, but that is the nature of a hamstring injury. A player must be completely recovered from it to avoid the almost certain fate of aggravating it.

However, given both statements, it certainly seems like Messi has a shot at playing when PSG travels to Camp Nou. What's more, it feels safe to project that Messi would be available if Barcelona advances to the semifinals.

And Barca will do just that. 

PSG played Barca well at home, and a late goal by Blaise Matuidi earned a 2-2 draw. However, they are now in the terrible position of having to go into Camp Nou and either beat Barcelona, score at least three goals in a draw or force extra time with a 2-2 score.

In all competitions this season, Barcelona has just one loss and has allowed two goals or more only five times at home.

I don't like PSG's chances. 

Barcelona dominates possession, and they are at their most deadliest when the opposition tries to force the attack. PSG is going to have to try to force the issue if they want to advance, and Barcelona will make them pay. This is going to happen whether Messi is on the pitch or not. 

The one chance PSG would have had would be if Barcelona came out in this match with a sense of defeat, knowing that their star was on the shelf for a long absence—knowing, even if they won, they might not have him back for the semifinals. 

Now, with that fear eliminated, there will be nothing keeping Barcelona from victory.