Ernesto Valverde Provides Lionel Messi Injury Update Ahead of La Liga Opener

​For the first time in almost a decade, Barcelona will be forced to play the opening game of the season without the talismanic Lionel Messi.  The La Liga champions kick off their title defence with a trip to Athletic Bilbao on Friday, and go into the opener in sizzling form, having won four out of their five pre-season matches - a defeat to Chelsea in July the sole blemish on the record.  They have been a ​Messi-less entity throughout their preparations, however, having lost their captain to a... Via All the latest breaking football news, transfer rumours, analysis, and match reports - 90min http://www.90min.com/