Lionel Messi injury 'not serious'

Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi picked up "a bit of a knock" during Sunday's La Liga clash against Athletic Bilbao, rather than a hamstring problem that could potentially keep him on the sidelines for an extended period.

The Argentine was substituted at the interval of his team's 6-0 win and it had been claimed that the newly-crowned Ballon d'Or winner would be facing a spell out of action.

However, Barcelona have revealed that medical tests on Monday morning did not show a muscular problem, although the attacker could miss training at the start of this week with the "knock".

"The Medical Services have confirmed that although the player took a bang in the right leg, there is nothing serious to worry about," read a statement on the club's official website.

Messi scored a first-half penalty against Bilbao to take his season total to 19 goals.