Jordi Alba: 'Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is irreplaceable'

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba has said that injured teammate Lionel Messi is irreplaceable.

Messi has contributed 12 goals and five assists from 11 outings in La Liga and the Champions League this season, but the forward has been sidelined with a broken arm.

The Argentine is expected to be out of action for approximately three weeks, but Alba has suggested that none of his teammates is capable of acting as a like-for-like replacement.

At a press conference, the 29-year-old told reporters: "There is no other player that can substitute Leo, however good they are.

"Leo is different to the rest, he makes the team better. We all have to take responsibility. Sometimes, everyone looks to Leo to resolve games, but with him missing we all have to work hard and show what a great team we are."

Messi is likely to miss Barca's Champions League double-header with Inter Milan at a time when both clubs are on six points in Group B.