Lionel Messi Injury News: Barcelona Star Not Expected To Return Early

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde does not expect Lionel Messi to return sooner than the expected timeframe.

Messi assisted Philippe Coutinho before getting himself on the scoresheet early on in the first half of Barcelona's 4-2 win against Sevilla on Saturday. However, the Barcelona captain fell awkwardly on his right arm after a collision with Sevilla's Franco Vazquez soon after.

After minutes of medical attention, Messi was taken off and later ruled out for at least three weeks of action after it was revealed he fractured his arm.

It means he will not only miss Wednesday's Champions League encounter against Serie A's Inter Milan, but also Sunday's El Clasico fixture against rivals Real Madrid.

While some players have come back quicker than their expected return dates from injury, Valverde does not see that being the case with the Argentine forward.

"The doctors say about three weeks and sometimes people talk about getting back sooner," Valverde told reporters Tuesday ahead of the Champions League game with Inter, as quoted on Goal. "I'd love to say it will be magic and next week he'll be back but I don't think that is the case."

As it stands, one of Ousmane Dembele or summer signing Malcolm will replace Messi, but Valverde states the whole team will have to share the responsibility of replacing what Messi brings to the table.

"We have to find a way to play without him," Valverde explained. "We will certainly miss him, but we hope we miss him while winning. You guys [the media] aren't the only ones trying to find out how we will try to replace Leo. The coaches from the other teams are as well and I'm not going to give away what we are going to do."

"We can't have all the weight of Leo Messi on one player, we must do it all together. Messi is one of a kind but I think we have the players to step up and fill the vacuum. He's the best player, what do you want me to say? We depend on him, like we depend on others, but he is the best," he said.

Valverde's sentiments were echoed by Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba, who believes no player can replace the 31-year-old. Alba has a strong relationship with Messi on the pitch, but expects to play the same way without him.

"Nobody can replace Messi — he is different and better than everyone else," Alba added. "But we have to work as a team to go without him. There are a lot of things people don't see on the field. I feel stronger as a player with Leo on the field. But without him I'll play the same way."

"It will clearly be tougher without him but we have a good group and I expect us to do our best to play without him. He is in good spirits. Nobody likes missing big matches like this as we just hope he misses as few games as possible and recovers quickly so he can rejoin us," he said.

The first of Barcelona's Champions League double-header against Inter will take place Wednesday at the Camp Nou.