Football: Messi to miss Barcelona's game at Real Betis

Messi (above) picked up a right calf injury pre-season. PHOTO: REUTERS

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Lionel Messi has been left out of Barcelona's squad to face Real Betis in the Spanish league on Sunday (Aug 25).

Messi returned to training this week after recovering from a right calf injury picked up in preseason, but the Argentina star was not included in the list of players available for the team's home opener at Camp Nou Stadium.

He missed the team's 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao in the league opener last weekend.

Coach Ernesto Valverde is also without forwards Luiz Suarez and Ousmane Dembele because of injuries.

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