Messi forced off as injury problems persist

World Player of the Year Lionel Messi had to
be withdrawn after just 28 minutes of
Barcelona's game with Almeria on Saturday
with an on-going muscular problem.
The Argentine had given Barca the lead with a
fine left-footed strike on 21 minutes, but was
clearly in some discomfort thereafter and was
replaced by Xavi Hernandez.
Messi missed Barca's trip to Malaga and the
second-leg of the Spanish Super Cup against
Atletico Madrid earlier in the season due to a
thigh problem.
The 25-year-old is now a doubt for the
Catalans' Champions League clash with Celtic
on Tuesday.
Messi had appeared in court in the coastal
town of Gava near Barcelona on Friday
morning to answer questions on accusations of
tax evasion.
However, he took a full part in training on
Friday with his teammates before travelling
south to Almeria on Saturday.