Lionel Messi pulls out of Barca team to welcome new baby
– Lionel Messi will not be available for Barcelona as they face Malaga in Saturday’s Spanish League clash
– The 30-year-old was excused from the team to go welcome his third child with his wife
– He is expected to return to the squad for their Champions League clash against Chelsea next week
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has pulled out of his side’s squad that will face Malaga in this weekend’s Spanish League encounter at the Estadio La Rosaleda.
The Argentine forward took permission from the club’s authority to go be with his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, who recently gave birth to their third child hours before their match day 28 encounter.
Having being rested for their midweek encounter in the Catalan Super Cup clash against Espanyol, Messi was due to return to Barca’s starting lineup after taking part in the team’s last training session on Friday.
Meanwhile, his absence from the squad in their last game during the week has now been explained as he was reported to have taken his partner to the hospital before she finally put to bed.
Barca confirmed the news on their official social media handle, saying that the 30-year-old has withdrawn from the team travelling to Malaga this morning.
The Catalans tweeted: “[LAST MINUTE] Change to the squad, Messi is out for personal reasons and Yerry Mina takes his place.”
January transfer signing, Yerry Mina has now been listed to take Messi’s place for the fixture, as the Catalans are hoping to maintain their leadership on the Spanish League table.
The 30-year-old is expected to return to the squad for their crucial Champions League round of 16 clash against Premier League champions, Chelsea on Wednesday.
Both sides played out 1-1 draw at the Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture in February, while the hosts are at advantage to go through to the next stage, having grabbed an away goal in the first leg.
Messi got married to his childhood girlfriend, Antonella Roccuzzo in June 2017 after over 20-years of courtship according to Daily Mail.
The couple already have two boys named; Thiago and Mateo Messi, and the new arrival makes it three for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is eyeing another Champions League title this season.
