Lionel Messi's ankle injury has ruled him out of Barcelona's league derby with Espanyol on Saturday, and makes him doubtful for their opening game of the Club World Cup, the European champions said on Thursday.
The Argentina international twisted his right ankle in Barca's 2-1 Champions League victory away to Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday.
After Saturday's visit of Espanyol in La Liga, Barca travel to the United Arab Emirates for the semi-finals of the Club World Cup next Wednesday.
The final, if they reach it, is scheduled for Saturday, December 19 after which the Spanish league goes into its two-week winter break.
