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Leo Messi will miss first friendly under new manager

Lionel Messi

FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts after scoring his third goal against Bayer 04 Leverkusen during a Champions League round of sixteen, second leg, soccer match at the Nou Camp, in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

AP

Looks like Leo Messi will miss Barcelona’s first game in charge under new boss Tito Vilanova, who took over this year for Pep Guardiola.

Messi suffered a slight calf injury in the team’s last practice before leaving for Hamburg, where the Catalan giants are set to play at the Imtech Arena as part of the German club’s 125 anniversary celebration.

Barca has four more preseason friendlies before the La Liga season begins. Next up is a weekend contest against Raja Athletic Club in Spain.