Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has suggested that he is still feeling the effects of a calf injury which kept him out of action during the opening weeks of the season.

Having missed the first four La Liga fixtures of the campaign, Messi has made two substitute outings against Borussia Dortmund and Granada over the past week.

However, despite the Argentina international naturally building his fitness during those appearances, the playmaker has said that he is 'feeling fatigued'.

Speaking at the Best FIFA Player Awards ceremony in Milan on Monday evening, Marca quotes the 32-year-old as saying: "I have been out of action for two months and I notice this.

"I feel fatigued and heavy, lacking rhythm. They spoke to me about the seriousness of the injury."

Messi is again expected to be on the substitutes' bench when Barcelona face Villarreal on Tuesday night.

Written by
Darren Plant