Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez may not feature for Real Betis match

Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Messi already missed the first game, while the Uruguayan had to be hauled off due to injury

Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez both may be absent for Barcelona’s second match in this season’s La Liga campaign due to injury. Messi missed the first game, a 1-0 loss to Athletic Club Bilbao. Meanwhile, the Uruguayan started but had to be withdrawn after suffering an injury in the first half.

Suárez was seen visibly hobbling today according to Mundo Deportivo. We are told that given the shape he’s in, he’s ruled out for the next game for sure.

Messi is still training apart from the group. He injured himself in the first preseason training he attended since returning from Copa América. That makes him a doubt to play against Real Betis, although there is some hope that he could feature, particularly off the bench.

It’s possible neither may be able to start, making Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé, and Rafinha favorites to play from kick-off. Barça do have a couple other options in attack. Sergi Roberto has played as an attacker in the past, and so has Carles Aleñá. B team player Carles Pérez is a possibility as well. There is also, of course, the Neymar situation. But even in the not-at-all-assured event that he signs for Barça soon, would he be put into the starting XI right away?

Source: barcablaugranes.com