Messi to miss last-eight date

FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will miss the club's UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie after injuring his right thigh against Chelsea FC last night.

Muscle injury
The 18-year-old was a major factor in Barça's 2-1 first knockout round first-leg victory at Chelsea two weeks ago, but lasted only 25 minutes of the home return, which finished 1-1, having pulled up with a muscle problem. Barcelona's medical staff have decided against an operation but have said the Argentinian international needs four weeks to rest the injury.

Friday draw
The Spanish champions will find out their last-eight opponents on Friday, when UEFA stages the draw for the remaining rounds in Paris, the host city for this year's final at the Stade de France on 17 May. No teams will be seeded and sides from the same country can be drawn together. The quarter-finals will be played on 28/29 March and 4/5 April.