Current UCL holders Barcelona suffered an injury blow on Tuesday as Brazil star Neymar limped out of training ahead of his team’s Champions League clash at Bayer Leverkusen.
“During training this evening, Neymar suffered a small muscle injury in the abductor of his left leg,” Barcelona said in a statement ahead of Wednesday’s match.
“The development of the injury will determine his availability for the upcoming games.”
The 23-year-old is expected to be absent against Leverkusen, but of more concern for Barca is whether he will be ready for the Club World Cup with the Catalans set to play their semi-final in Japan on December 17.
Neymar has been in fantastic form this season, scoring 16 goals in 18 appearances.
Earlier on Tuesday he was rewarded for a series of excellent displays by being crowned La Liga’s player of the month for November.
Regardless of who plays at the BayArena, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is demanding a sharp performance in Leverkusen despite the title holders already being through.
Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique have been left in Barcelona, but star-studded forwards Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are tipped to start.
Barcelona will win Group E regardless of the result, but Enrique offered no clues as to the strength of his starting team.
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