Injury keeps Messi out

BARCELONA, SPAIN — Lionel Messi will miss Barcelona’s Spanish league game at Malaga on Sunday while he recovers from a muscle injury in his left leg.

Barcelona said on Saturday that even though Messi’s “progress is satisfactory,” coach Gerard Martino left the Argentina forward out of his squad as a “precaution.”

“We are optimistic, but it’s risky to play him again three days later with the league just underway,” said Martino. “I think Messi is fine and I’m not worried about what has happened.”

— GETTY IMAGES AC Milan’s Mario Balotelli reacts as referee Gianpaolo Calvarese shows him a yellow card during the Serie A match between Verona and Milan at Bentegodi Stadium on Saturday.