Lionel Messi has been left out of the squad for Barcelona's La Liga game at home to Real Betis tonight as he recovers from a calf injury.
The Argentine attacker missed Barca's trip to the United States to play Napoli in Miami and Michigan as he picked up the problem on his very first day of pre-season training and has been working to come back ever since.
He was left out of the squad for the Catalans' La Liga opener at Athletic Club last Friday, playing no part in the 1-0 loss at San Mames, but it was thought he would be back for Sunday's game against Betis at Camp Nou.
Messi returned to full training with the group on Wednesday, but coach Ernesto Valverde said on Saturday that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner might not play against Betis and he was left out altogether when the squad was announced later that night.
With Ousmane Dembele ruled out for five weeks, Luis Suarez also sidelined and Philippe Coutinho now at Bayern Munich after moving to the German champions on loan last Monday, Valverde will have selection problems in attack for Sunday's game.
In light of all those absences and with Messi also excluded, Valverde has called up 16-year-old Guinea-Bissau-born youth striker Ansu Fati for the game against Betis, which kicks off at 21:00 CET.
