Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale were both forced off at half time at the weekend after opening the scoring for Barcelona and Real Madrid in their respective league fixtures and the club's have now received mixed news on how long their stars will be out for.
The news is good for Barcelona with scans at the Creu Blanca Clinic showing Messi has no injury despite feeling a strain in his hamstring during Barcelona's 6-0 win over Athletic Bilbao. However, it seems likely that he will miss the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final at San Mames on Wednesday as a precaution. The Argentine did not train on Tuesday and the Catalans are scheduled to have a light session on Wednesday morning before travelling to Bilbao but Messi is expected to remain in Barcelona.
Bad news for Real
The news wasn't quite as good for Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid. Welsh star Gareth Bale went off with a calf injury on Sunday and after tests at the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital it was confirmed that Bale has a soleus muscle injury. No official time frame was given for his recovery but it is expected to take around three weeks and it is believed Zidane is hoping to have him available for the first leg of the Champions League game against Roma on February 17th.
Messi and Bale have both had their seasons disrupted due to injury this season and while Barca and Real coped relatively well without them Luis Enrique and Zidane will be hoping they are fit for the crucial months of the season as the La Liga giants push for domestic and European honours. Barcelona and Real Madrid should be involved when the trophies are handed out in May and their chances of winning silverware will be greatly increased if Messi and Bale are available.