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Youth striker Lionel Messi is likely to miss the first UEFA Champions League semi-final match in Milan after recovering from a thigh injury.
The 18-year-old talent suffered the injury back on March 7 during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match against London's Chelsea. The medical staff of the Catalan superclub decided that Messi did not need surgery and that he would return to the field after four weeks. Although L.Messi started training, he did not appear at yesterday's club training session.
"In the final stage of rehabilitation, we noticed that Messi's muscle injury did not completely heal," said Barcelona physiotherapist Jordi Ardevol. "He will need further treatment until the muscle is fully healed."
Due to the recurring injury, L.Messi will miss Friday's Spanish championship match against "Villarreal" and the trip to Milan on Tuesday. In Friday's match, Ronaldinho, who is also recovering from a thigh injury, and Brazilian defender Juliano Belletti, who suffered an Achilles tendon injury, are also likely to miss the game.
