Blow for Barca as teen starlet Messi ruled out until the new year

BARCELONA look set to be without rising star Leo Messi until well into the new year after he picked up a foot injury during Sunday night’s Primera Liga game with Real Zaragoza.

The Argentinian lasted only 23 minutes of the match before being replaced by Ludovic Giuly, and it has been confirmed that he has suffered a broken metatarsal and will need to undergo an operation.

“Messi has fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. The treatment will be surgical and the expected loss is around three months,” a statement from the club said.

The injury means Messi will miss the two crucial Champions League matches against Levski Sofia and Werder Bremen, which defending champions Barca both need to win or risk facing an embarrassing early exit out of the tournament.

Barca, already missing star striker Samuel Eto’o with a serious knee injury, are also sweating on the fitness of holding midfielder Edmilson, who damaged an ankle in the first half of Sunday’s game and is likely to be missing for 10 days.