Messi injury can never be an excuse – Martino

• Posted on November 11, 2013November 11, 2013
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The Argentine limped off after 21 minutes at Betis on Sunday and set the alarm bells ringing once again with what is already his third injury of the season

By Ben Hayward

Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino says Lionel Messi‘s recent injury woes will not be used as an excuse by the Catalan club.

Messi limped off with a thigh problem after 21 minutes with Barca being held at 0-0 away to Betis in Seville, but the Liga leaders went on to record a comfortable 4-1 victory and extended their advantage to three points at the top of the table after second-placed Atletico Madrid could only draw at Villarreal.

The 26-year-old forward is set for further tests on Monday and is now likely to miss Argentina’s forthcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Bosnia-Herzegovina later this month.

However, Martino claims the strain is unrelated to Messi’s previous problems this term.

“This injury has nothing to do with his last one,” the coach said. “This time he felt discomfort in his right leg.

“We have the best player in the world, but also four or five others who are among the best. Messi’s absence can never be an excuse.”

In the end, Barca had little trouble without their star player as Neymar and Pedro put the Catalans in control with a goal apiece in an 88-second spell later in the first half, before substitute Cesc Fabregas added a double in the second period.

“Leo needs to stop for as long as it takes,” Fabregas said afterwards. “He needs to recover and then he can get back on form. We need him so much.

“I had the same injury at Arsenal – two really bad years with the same problems. You want to come back quickly but it’s a mistake. It’s an annoying injury.”

Sunday’s game was a huge contrast from the corresponding fixture last season (played in December), when Messi scored his 85th and 86th of 2012 to break Gerd Muller’s record for goals in a calendar year.

The game against Betis was also the Argentine’s last chance to impress before Ballon d’Or votes close on November 15.

The Argentine is hoping to win the prestigious award for a fifth time in a row.

-Goal