Barcelona Reveal Lionel Messi Ruled Out for Three Weeks as Luis Enrique Hails Squad Depth

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has praised his side's strength in depth after attacking talisman Lionel Messi was ruled out for three weeks with a groin injury, but admitted that his squad is stronger with the Argentine involved.

The Catalan clubrevealed in midweekthat the 29-year-old tore a muscle in his groin against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, ruling him out for just under a month - having missed six weeks with injury at a similar time of the year last season.

On living with and without Messi - from SBS;https://t.co/guGG3F5J7O

The reigning La Liga champions thrashed Sporting Gijón 5-0 on the weekend,after which Enrique said: "I'm not a doctor, but to lose Messi, football loses, we all lose, and that's something we are sad about.

"Last year he had a big injury and the team was at a good level. The truth is that with Leo we are stronger, but we will be strong without him, we have to keep playing well."

Midfield star Andres Iniesta also insisted that it was the club's supporting cast who were the truly crucial members of the squad, quoted at an event to promote his new book recently.

3 - La Liga players to have scored in three different competitions this season:
Lionel Messi
Luis Suárez
ALEXANDRE PATO
Versatile. pic.twitter.com/jSKBIjVgUT

He said: "The team is stronger with Messi than without him, but it is the squad as a whole that wins titles. We all wish he could play these next few games, but unforeseen circumstances do happen."

Messi will miss Wednesday's Champions League clash with Borussia Monchengladbach, but the club are hoping that the Argentine will be able to return in time to face unbeaten Manchester City on 19 October.

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