Lionel Messi to Miss Barcelona's La Liga Season Opener with Calf Injury

Lionel Messi will miss Barcelona's opening La Liga match of the season against Athletic Bilbao on Friday with a calf injury.

Barca tweeted their squad ahead of the away clash, and Messi was not named in Ernesto Valverde's travelling party.

Matt Maltby of the Mirror reported Messi had sustained the injury in pre-season training. Messi has continued his preparations ahead of the new campaign but is not ready to feature.

Speaking in a press conference on Thursday, Valverde said: "We never like to risk any players, and much less someone like Leo."

Messi's absence could open the door for Philippe Coutinho or Ousmane Dembele to start alongside Luis Suarez.

According to Bruno Andrade of Goal, Coutinho continues to be linked with a move away from the Spanish champions, with Barca reportedly keen to show the Brazil international the Camp Nou exit door.