Lionel Messi Misses FC Barcelona's FIFA Club World Cup Semi-Final Due to Abdominal Pain
Lionel Messi is suffering from renal colic, a problem commonly caused by kidney stones, which ruled him out of FC Barcelona's FIFA Club World Cup semi-final on Thursday.
Lionel Messi missed FC Barcelona's FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against China's Guangzhou Evergrande in Yokohama on Thursday because of abdominal pain, the Spanish club said. (FIFA Club World Cup: River Plate Survive Scare Against Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
The Argentine wizard, who returned last month after a lengthy knee injury, is suffering from renal colic, a problem commonly caused by kidney stones. (Neymar Absent as FC Barcelona Prepare For Club World Cup)
"His future availability will depend on the outcome of further medical tests," said a statement on Barcelona's website. (Neymar Much More Complete Player Now, Says Lionel Messi)
Messi had appeared in good spirits since Barca arrived in Japan on Monday, joking with team-mates and signing autographs for local fans who turned out in their hundreds to watch their idols train.
Brazilian striker Neymar, who has been in a rich vein of form this season, also missed the game as he recovers from a groin strain suffered in Barca's European Champions League clash at Bayer Leverkusen earlier this month.
Luis Suarez, the third member of Barcelona's vaunted strike-force, started the match.
European champions Barcelona are attempting to become the first side to win the Club World Cup three times.
The Catalan giants beat Argentina's Estudiantes 2-1 in 2009 and thrashed Brazil's Santos 4-0 two years later.