Lionel Messi injury: Barcelona star forced off casting doubt over El Clasico fitness

Lionel Messi has been substituted with an elbow injury sustained after just 15 minutes in the La Liga game against Sevilla at Camp Nou tonight.

The Argentine forward fell awkwardly following a challenge by Sevilla’s Franco Vazquez and despite receiving treatment and being bandaged up on the sidelines, he was not able to continue.

The 31-year-old had already made his mark on the match, setting up Philippe Coutinho for Barca’s first goal inside two minutes and scoring the second himself with a wonderful solo effort not long before his injury.

After several minutes of treatment, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner still looked in pain and Barca will not want to risk their star player with a Champions League clash against Inter Milan ahead on Wednesday and the Clasico versus Real Madrid to take place at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Messi, whose involvement in those fixtures is now in doubt, finally went off to a rousing ovation from the home fans after 24 minutes and was replaced by Ousmane Dembele.