Messi misses Barcelona training again with quadriceps concern

Lionel Messi missed training Friday for the second time this week due to a quadriceps injury, raising doubts about his ability to participate in Barcelona's return to La Liga play.

However, Barca believes Messi will be fit in time for their first game back next week.

"Barca captain Leo Messi has a minor right quadriceps injury and trained in isolation, doing specific exercises to avoid unnecessary risks with just eight days remaining before Barca finally get back to playing matches," the club's statement read.

"He should be able to rejoin his teammates in a few days' time," the club added.

Messi sat out training Wednesday, and the first team was given the day off Thursday. The 32-year-old injured his quadriceps in a coming together with a teammate and required attention from the club's masseuse, according to ESPN UK's Moises Llorens and Sam Marsden.

Barcelona resume their title defense June 13 at Mallorca, two days after Spain's top flight returns with the Seville derby.

Messi and Co. are set to contest 11 La Liga fixtures over a six-week span as part of a congested schedule slated for completion July 19.

With 27 matches played, Barcelona hold a narrow two-point advantage on second-place Real Madrid, who welcome Eibar to the Santiago Bernabeu on June 14.

La Liga was suspended indefinitely in mid-March due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.