Lionel Messi has been stretchered off for Barcelona during its
Champions League clashwith Benfica .
Tito Vilanova chose not to start with the Argentine forward in the
team's final group stage game, but brought him on midway through the
second half as the Blaugrana pushed for a win.
With five minutes left - and the game still goalless - the Ballon d'Or
favorite went downclutching his leg and had to be taken off the pitch
at Camp Nou by medics, not long after he wasted an opportunity to give
the Liga giants a late lead.
"Messi has a bruise on the outside of his left knee. He'll undergo
further tests to determine the exact extent of the injury," was the
message from Barcelona's official Twitter account following the game.
After the star substitute's withdrawal, neither side was able to break
the deadlock and the clash finished 0-0, eliminating Benfica into the
Europa League while allowing Celtic to advance after it beat Spartak
Moscow.
Many suspected Wednesday night would be the moment when Messi equalled
- or even surpassed - Gerd Muller's record of 85 goals in a calendar
year.
However, should Messi's injury rule him out for a couple of weeks, the
winter break that Spanish clubs partake in could allow the legendary
German striker's record remain intact.
Barcelona fielded a largely second string squad against the Portuguese
side as first place in Group G was already assured, so its stalemate
with Jorge Jesus' side is unlikely totrouble Vilanova.
A serious injury to his star player, on the other hand, would no doubt
trouble the head coach of the Catalan giants, despite their huge lead
at the top of La Liga this season.
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