Lionel Messi to make an earlier return than expected

Argentine doctor Donato Villani says Messi will be back sooner than expected

Barcelona star striker Lionel Messi might return earlier than expected after Argentine doctor Donato Villani said the player does not need surgery, according to ESPN. Messi was initially estimated to be out for around seven to eight weeks after suffering an internal collateral ligament injury to his left knee in the match against Las Palmas.

Villani who has been treating the 28-year old for several years said the player was fortunate not to require surgery and would be back in action sooner than expected.

"This is not damage that requires surgery," was what the doctor told Argentina daily Ole.

“It will heal with time off from play as the first step and then kinesiology. I have known Leo for years and I have no doubt that he is going to be ready to play again in the shortest time possible, maybe before the date that was estimated.

"The injury was to the ligament on the inner part of the knee, a ligament that is extra-articular, that obviously suffers an injury like any other ligament, but this one is outside the joint. He avoided a valgus force injury of the joint, it is not a tear that needs surgery.

"This ligament injury takes about six to eight weeks to heal. After that time, the player can be ready to return with no further problems."

Messi incurred his injury in the early stages of the match against Las Palmas where they won 2-1. The Argentine captain slammed into defender Pedro Bigas when he made a brilliant cut in from the right wing. While he tried to continue playing after receiving treatment on the pitch, the injury saw him being taken off and being replaced by Munir El Haddadi 10 minutes into the game.

The player was rushed to the Creu Blanca hospital and tests on the injured joint revealed that he would be out for several weeks.

Messi goes crazy when he can't play: Villani

Villani added: "I am sure of it because Leo is a player who goes crazy when he can't play, when he doesn't have the ball and that is why his rehab will go quickly and in the best way because he is a professional.

"His desire to return to plan and his will to get better will have great influence. He always wants to play."

Due to the unfortunate injury, Messi will miss the Champions League group game against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday at Camp Nou, and the match against Sevilla in La Liga on Saturday.