Messi out of Club World Cup semi with renal colic

AFP , Thursday 17 Dec 2015

Lionel Messi
In this file picture taken on December 14, 2015 Spain's Barcelona forward Lionel Messi attends a football practice session in Yokohama, a suburb of Tokyo. Messi will miss the Club World Cup semi-final on December 17, 2015 (AFP)

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will miss Thursday's Club World Cup semi-final against China's Guangzhou Evergrande in Yokohama because of abdominal pain, the Spanish club said.

The Argentine wizard, who returned last month after a lengthy knee injury, is suffering from renal colic, a problem commonly caused by kidney stones.

"His future availability will depend on the outcome of further medical tests," said a statement on Barcelona's website.

European champions Barcelona are attempting to become the first side to win the Club World Cup three times.

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