It was defender Martin Demichelis who injured Lionel Messi in Barcelona’s last 16 Champions League games against Manchester City, according to ESPN.
The TV channel claims Demichelis brought Messi down on the goal-line towards the end of the game and made contact with his Argentina teammate’s foot, causing it to become inflamed and making him a major doubt for this weekend’s game with Celta Vigo.
“Messi broke down the right hoping to put the ball into the area for [Luis] Suarez or Neymar,” reported ESPN in reference to the tackle.
“At that moment Demichelis savagely brought him down and sent him crashing into the advertising hoardings.
“Messi did not get up and when he finally moved grabbed his right foot with both hands, visibly concerned.”
However, Messi did play in Barcelona’s next game – El Clasico against Real Madrid – although he was largely anonymous throughout, but missed his country’s international friendlies with El Salvador and Ecuador last weekend.
“He wanted to risk it because it was Barcelona playing Real Madrid,” said ESPN.
