'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Barcelona and Sevilla clashed in a top of the table fixture at Camp Nou, with Barcelona looking to usurp their visitors from the summit of the standings.
As it happened, their mission was accomplished, as the Blaugrana triumphed in a 4-2 victory which brought an end to their poor run of form which saw them winless in four LaLiga matches.
The match also brought Messi in fore attention, firstly for his magic on the pitch as the Argentine was responsible for his club's first two goals, setting up Coutinho for the opener before himself finding the net with a solid finish.
Trending
Midway through the first half, Barcelona fans at Camp Nou got a scare as Messi landed awkwardly on his elbow, and after much speculation, it was decided that he couldn't continue the match.
After his departure, Barcelona rallied to see out the victory, but fans around the world waited with bated breath for updates on Messi's injury.
As it happened, the injury was not as serious as first feared, with reports emerging that the 31-year-old would be out for three weeks, which comes at a critical point in Barcelona's season, as they would face eternal rivals Real Madrid as well as potential table-topping deciders with Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Lionel Messi is Barcelona's talisman, and the most important player in their illustrious history, as with him, Barcelona fancy their chances of beating anybody anywhere in the world.
His injury comes as a big blow at this point, but even without him, Barcelona still possesses some of the best players in the world who would be expected to step up to the plate in Messi's absence. Here are the three most important players who would need to step up to deliver for Barcelona.
#3 Phillipe Coutinho
The 26-year-old is the most expensive player in Barcelona's history, following his €142m transfer from Liverpool in January. Coutinho was signed to be the long-term replacement to Iniesta at Barcelona, and the Brazilian has fitted seamlessly into the role.
The legendary Barcelona midfielder departed for Vissel Kobe in Japan at the end of last season, and although Coutinho admitted that he has a long way to go before earning comparisons with the Spanish icon, even his harshest critic has to admit that Coutinho has played his part almost perfectly.
The Brazilian has scored 11 La Liga goals in 27 appearances, including three this season, and has offered a different proposition to Barcelona's attack. His unique shooting ability from distance is a useful weapon in Barcelona's arsenal, particularly against opposition who defend deep and allow the Blaugrana to hold possession.
The Barcelona number 7 was signed to primarily offer creativity from the wings, but in their number 10's absence, he would have to do considerably more.
#2 Ousmane Dembele
The World Cup winner, Ousmane Dembele, was brought in for a previous club record sum after he was signed from Dortmund in 2017 to replace Neymar, but an injury rampaged debut season meant that he never got the opportunity to convince the Barcelona faithful of his abilities.
After playing a fitting role in France's World Cup triumph, the 21-year-old returned to find his place further threatened by the arrival of Malcom from Bordeaux.
He, however, put those doubts behind him to start the season in explosive fashion, scoring the winner in the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla, he further scored in four consecutive matches between August and September, one of which was a worldie against PSV in the UEFA Champions League and many believed this would be the season he established his status in the Barcelona team.
A poor turn of results, however, forced Valverde's hands into making changes. Arthur was introduced in midfield while Coutinho was pushed further forward with the resultant effect being that Dembele was once again relegated to the bench.
He has found chances hard to come by since then, but was the player brought on in place of Messi after he picked up the injury against Sevilla.
Messi's misfortune could very well turn out to be a silver lining for Dembele, as the Frenchman is the player most likely to benefit from his absence, and it is up to him to grab the opportunity to make a case for a place in the team with convincing performances in the upcoming fixtures.
#1 Luis Suarez
The only player to have beaten Messi and Ronaldo to a European Golden Boot in the last eight years, Luis Suarez, has long established himself as the premier striker in world football, and he further enhanced his reputation since his 2014 transfer to Barcelona.
His goals have helped the Blaugrana to numerous title since be arrived, but he has often been criticized lately for not scoring enough goals in important matches particularly in the UEFA Champions League where he suffered a year-long goal drought.
Suarez is still an elite centre-forward, and while his work rate and tireless running are still evident, the Uruguayan is beginning to show a worrying inconsistency in front of goal.
Last season, the 31-year-old underwent a six-game goalless run in La Liga in November, as well as a five-game stretch in April, and that patchy form has continued into this season.
In Messi's absence, Suarez would be the chief goal threat for Barcelona, and he must carry the responsibility effectively if Barca is not to feel the impact of the mercurial Argentine's loss.
