Barca’s all-time top scorer has not managed to complete 90 minutes this season due to a series of injuries and had to be taken off at halftime during his side’s 2-1 win at home to Villarreal on Tuesday with a thigh strain.
“I don’t know how long he will be out for, we hope he can return to the team soon,” Valverde told a news conference.Messi has been ruled out of the trip at Getafe and will be fighting to be fit in time for Barca’s Champions League game at home to Inter Milan next Wednesday and a difficult league match at home to Sevilla the following Sunday.
“If he returns soon it’s a boost for us and if not then we will be missing a player who is absolutely decisive,” Valverde added.Barca have made a slow start to the season due to their dire away form, losing to Athletic Bilbao and Granada while drawing at Osasuna in their three matches away from the Camp Nou, where they have a 100% record.
Valverde said he was not anxious about the team’s record away from home, but challenged his players to pick up all three points at Getafe. “I don’t think we’re anxious but because everyone keeps speaking about that, it seems as if we need to win away as soon as possible to get rid of this feeling,” he said.“We need to step things up away from home and we have a good opportunity to do so tomorrow. The fact we are playing Getafe is good for us as they will put us under real pressure at their stadium and will force us to dig deep.”