Lionel Messi Injury Reports Emerge After Barcelona Loss to Atletico Madrid

Conflicting reports have surfaced over the fitness of Barcelona star Lionel Messi and whether the 28-year-old is carrying an injury.

In the wake of the Blaugrana’s UEFA Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid, Cadena COPE radio station said the forward is playing with muscle pain that’s contributing to his below-par form (h/t Sport).

However, Sport said the club has stated “Messi is fine.”

On Wednesday evening, Atletico superbly shackled the talents of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in what was a pulsating affair. The capital club overturned a 2-1 deficit from the first leg, winning 2-0 on the night, defending with gumption and acumen against their illustrious opponents.

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The result leaves Barca’s season on the brink of capitulation. After all, not only are they out of the Champions League, but in La Liga they only lead Atletico by three points, having previously been 10 points clear. Here's a look at Antoine Griezmann's superb opener in Wednesday's game, shared by BT Sport:

As noted by football writer Rik Sharma, the Madrid side seems to have the edge on the Catalans:

Messi’s own downturn in form has run side-by-side with Barcelona’s. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner began 2016 with a swagger after missing two months of the season, but in recent weeks, his form has tailed off.

As these numbers from Squawka Football show, it’s rare to see Messi go through such a lean patch in front of goal:

Therefore, reports suggesting the attacker is carrying a knock make sense. After all, this run of form is almost unprecedented for Messi, and while he’s still getting on the ball in dangerous areas, the unflappable conviction in possession that makes him such a formidable footballer seems to have seeped away as of late.

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Barcelona may have denied suggestions he has a fitness issue, but Spanish football expert Rafael Hernandez is unsure why the initial source would fabricate a story such as this:

Whether Messi is carrying an injury or not, these are worrying times for the Blaugrana. After being so good for so long this season, there’s a danger they could end this campaign having relinquished not only the Champions League but La Liga too. As their talisman, a lot of these players will be looking to Messi to spearhead a resurgence.

If there is a problem there, Barca shouldn’t be too hesitant about giving their star man time to recover. After all, Neymar and Suarez thrived without Messi earlier in the campaign, and while having him on the field typically breathes confidence through the rest of the team, something clearly isn’t quite right when it comes to this incredible talent.