BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 24: Lionel Messi of Barcelona scores his teams fifth goal during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between FC Barcelona and AS Roma at Camp Nou on November 24, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Barcelona breezed past Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande in the semifinal of the FIFA Club World Cup, but the mood was dampened by the absence of one of their stars.
Prior to the game, the club announced that Lionel Messi would be sidelined with after he woke up with abdominal pain; Brazilian star Neymar was on the bench as he is recovering from a groin injury.
“Leo Messi will not be playing in today’s Club World Cup semifinal against Guangzhou Evergrande,” read a statement on the team’s website. “The Argentinian striker is suffering from renal colic.” Renal colic is a type of pain usually caused by kidney stones.
Messi’s avaiability for the final against River Plate on Sunday will be determined after further medical tests. On the pitch, Luis Suarez netted an easy hat trick to put the European champions through.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Photo: Lionel Messi of Barcelona scores his teams fifth goal during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between FC Barcelona and AS Roma at Camp Nou on November 24, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
If you’re an NFL team looking for a new head coach, Matt Nagy may just…
The Atlanta Falcons may be looking for a new head coach and general manager, but…
The Philadelphia Eagles entered the 2025 season as the defending champions. However, their Super Bowl-winning…
The San Francisco 49ers upset the Eagles to advance to the divisional round, but lost…
The Chicago Bears had their backs to the wall and rose to the occasion, winning…
The New England Patriots defeated the L.A. Chargers to advance to the divisional round for…