Lionel Messi To Miss Club World Cup Semi-Finals

Lionel Messi will miss Barcelona’s Fifa Club World Cup semi-final against Guangzhou Evergrande on Thursday because of renal colic.

The Catalan giants, who triumphed in the competition in 2009 and 2011, launch their bid for a third title against the Chinese side at the International Stadium Yokohama, but will have to do so without the four-times Ballon d’Or winner.

“Leo Messi, last-minute absentee from the Club World Cup semi-final. The player has renal colic,” the club posted on Twitter.

A statement on the website continued: “Leo Messi will not be playing after waking up on Thursday morning with renal colic, a type of abdominal pain commonly caused by kidney stones. His future availability will depend on the outcome of further medical tests.”

The Brazil striker Neymar is carrying a groin injury but has travelled to Japan as Barça look to add to the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey crowns they have already collected this year.

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