Messi Injured, Ruled Out Of PSG’s Champions League Clash Against Benfica

Paris St Germain forward Lionel Messi will not be involved against Benfica on Tuesday after failing to recover from a calf injury in time for the7 Champions League group stage game, the French club said on Monday.

Messi had missed the weekend’s Ligue 1 draw against Stade de Reims in which PSG failed to score in the league for the first time this season.

The 35-year-old had asked to be withdrawn in the second half of the reverse fixture at Benfica last week due to the calf problem.

Presnel Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes and Renato Sanches will also miss Tuesday’s game.

PSG are top of Group H at the halfway stage with seven points, the same as Benfica, while Juventus are four points behind in third.

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Messi scored PSG’s goal in that game, curling into the top corner to set a new competition record by becoming the first player to score against 40 different clubs in the Champions League.

The injury is not thought to be too serious, but Messi will again be absent for Tuesday’s contest against Benfica as a result of the issue.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has been in prolific form for the French giants so far in 2022-23, scoring eight goals and creating eight more in 13 appearances across all competitions.

PSG are bidding to win the Champions League for the first time in their history this season, while Messi is gunning for a fifth title having lifted the trophy four times with Barcelona.

Speculation has once again been growing regarding the Argentine’s long-term future in the French capital, with his current contract due to expire at the end of this season.