Madrid: Lionel Messi is undergoing treatment on kidney stones which floored the Argentina superstar at the Club World Cup in December, Barcelona have announced.
The five-time world Player of the Year “will be submitted to various tests on Monday and Tuesday to assess the development of kidney problems he suffered last December”, the Spanish champions said in a statement on Monday.
Messi is due back on Wednesday, when Barca face Valencia in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg, with the Catalans firmly in control after the 7-0 first leg drubbing they handed Gary Neville’s team as Messi bagged a hat-trick.
The five time World Player of the Year is reported to be receiving lithotripsy, a procedure involving ultrasound shock waves to break down problem kidney stones.
“The surgery normally lasts between three quarters of an hour and an hour with the patient requiring sedation or in some cases anaesthesia,” the Mundo Deportivo newspaper reported.
Messi suffered renal colic, a problem commonly caused by kidney stones, in Japan in December forcing him to miss eventual winners Barcelona’s semi-final against China’s Guangzhou Evergrande.
He recovered in time to line up in the final where Barca beat Argentina’s River Plate 3-0 as he scored the opening goal.
While Barcelona go through the procedures of their second leg, Sevilla will play their second leg in the semi-finals against Celta Vigo in another forgone conclusion. Sevilla stunned Celta Vigo 4-0 in the first leg.
But Barca’s encounter provides a chance for coach Luis Enrique to break the record of former manager Pep Guardiola, who managed 29 unbeaten games.
As for Valencia, Wednesday’s match is a chance to boost their morale, especially when there is technically nothing to lose, amid heavy criticism from their supporters due to the team’s downhill performance.
In Vigo, Sevilla will seek to confirm their distinction against the hosts, who will try to convince themselves that everything is possible, even a potential painstaking comeback by a group known for their perseverance.
During the first half of La Liga, Celta Vigo thrashed Barca 4-0 but Barcelona and Sevilla are definitely expected to progress — and hopefully repeat their beautiful football piece at the very beginning of the season in the European Super Cup, which Barcelona won 5-4. The Copa del Rey final is on May 21.
Copa del Rey fixtures, second leg (Kick-offs UAE time):
Thursday, February 11
Valencia v Barcelona 12am
Celta Vigo v Sevilla 11.30pm
