UPDATE: It has been confirmed that Messi broke his right forearm and is expected to miss three weeks.
Lionel Messi lasted just 16 minutes of Barcelona’s La Liga clash with Sevilla on Saturday, but fans got their money’s worth as it was an eventful 16-minute shift from the indisputable greatest player of all time.
[ MORE: What did we learn in the Premier League, Week 9? ]
In the end, though, it could prove an incredibly costly outing for the Argentine superstar — but even more so, for his club.
Minute no. 2: Messi sets up the game’s opening goal, scored by Philippe Coutinho, with a delightful first-time pass to play his Brazilian teammate into acres of space.
WATCH: Mr. "Coooooltinho" @Phil_Coutinho finishes off a beautiful team move with a well-placed finish to give @FCBarcelona a lead over @SevillaFC_ENG in the first two minutes 👇👀https://t.co/QOgMNXY6ER
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 20, 2018
Minute no. 12: Messi scores Barca’s second goal, a not-so-easy finish made to look incredibly easy from outside the penalty area.
WATCH: Messi set the table for the first goal and now he finishes off the second himself. @FCBarcelona up 2-0 on @SevillaFC_ENG within in the first 13 minutes 😳⏯https://t.co/enpsMiY7DS
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 20, 2018
Minute no. 16: Messi braces his fall with his right arm, injuring it (perhaps severely) in the process (WATCH HERE).
It certainly doesn’t look good for the 31-year-old, as the lower portion of his arm appeared to go one direction while the upper portion appeared to go the complete opposite. Ousmane Dembele, who is the most likely recipient of first-team minutes should Messi missed an extended period of time, replaced the Barca captain a few minutes later.