LIONEL MESSI suffered a scare as Barcelona ended Benfica’s Champions League campaign.
The Argie came on as a second-half substitute but picked up an injury to his left knee after a collision with keeper Artur in the 85th minute.
Barca coach Tito Vilanova confirmed: “It’s a blow to the knee — a bruise which doctors have been having a look at.
“We now have to wait for the results of tests. But the feeling is that it is nothing more serious than a knock.”
Messi remains one goal short of Gerd Muller’s record of 85 goals in a calendar year, set whilst playing for Bayern Munich in 1972.
And time his running out for him to top that tally, with just three La Liga games and a Copa del Rey tie left for Barca before the New Year arrives.
Benfica, meanwhile, knew a win would see them finish second behind Barca in Group G.
But the Portuguese visitors blew a number of first-half chances before running out of steam after the break, although Maxi Pereira missed a late chance.
That meant Benfica finished behind Celtic in the table and must now be content with a Europa League spot.
The Sun
