Injured Messi ruled out of PSG’s Champions League game against Benfica

Paris St Germain forward Lionel Messi will not be involved against Benfica on Tuesday after failing to recover from a calf injury in time for the Champions League group stage game, the French club said on Monday.

Messi had missed the weekend’s Ligue 1 draw against Stade de Reims in which table toppers PSG failed to score in the league for the first time this season.

The 35-year-old had asked to be withdrawn in the reverse fixture at Benfica last week due to the calf problem but PSG boss Christophe Galtier said he expected him to return for the weekend clash against third-placed Olympique de Marseille.

PSG are top of Group H at the halfway stage with seven points, the same as Benfica, while Juventus are four points behind in third.