Lionel Messi has been forced for with an arm injury during Barcelona’s clash with Sevilla.
Messi was substituted in the 17th minute after appearing land awkwardly on his right arm during a tussle for the ball with Sevilla midfielder Franco Vazquez.
Fellow Argentine Vazquez attempted to hold Messi away by shielding the ball, but the Barca ace fell over his leg before sticking his arm out to catch his fall.
In doing so, Messi’s right elbow seemed like it bent the wrong way in painful scenes – with the superstar struggling to get up without assistance.
After receiving lengthy treatment on the sideline, during which Messi appeared in great discomfort as he held his hand over his face, he was replaced by Ousmane Dembele.
Barca doctors wound a tight bandage over his right arm before deciding he couldn’t continue – it is currently unknown how badly damaged his arm is.
Messi is likely to be a doubt for Barca’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan on Wednesday along with next weekend’s El Clasico with Real Madrid.
Messi has generally been lucky at avoiding injuries throughout his career, with his longest lay-off coming in 2006 when he missing 18 matches with a damaged metatarsal.
He suffered a an adductor problem in March this year.
The incident occurred moments after the Argentine had curled in a textbook finish into the bottom corner after breaking free – which handed Barca a second goal.
The strike had doubled the Catalan outfit’s lead after Messi had assisted Philippe Coutinho in the third minute.
Messi has bagged 12 goals for Barca this season, including four in his last three appearances.
He came into the fixture with Sevilla fully refreshed after sitting out of Argentina’s international friendlies with Iraq and Brazil.
Barca are hoping to climb back to the top of La Liga after drawing with Valencia before the international break – with Alaves, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid above them.
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