Pedro Bigas hoping for quick Lionel Messi recovery

Las Palmas defender Pedro Bigas has spoken about the challenge that led to Barcelona's Lionel Messi suffering knee ligament damage.

Bigas was involved in a coming-together with the Argentine during their La Liga clash at Camp Nou late last month, which forced Messi off the field.

Tests later revealed that the Argentine was facing a two-month lay-off with ligament damage and Bigas has said that he 'hopes Messi recovers quickly' from the blow.

"I didn't do it on purpose. I played the ball and he was hurt taking the shot. He's a great player and I hope he recovers quickly," Marca quotes Bigas as saying.

"I wanted to speak with him after the game but he had gone to the hospital for tests. I didn't know he was hurt [at the time ], only after when the game had stopped.

"The impact was with the ball, me and him. I don't want to keep going over it but hopefully he recovers soon as he's one of the best players in the world."

Messi is expected to return to first-team action in late November.