Lionel Messi has been ruled out of PSG’s Ligue 1 trip to Reims with a calf injury

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Lionel Messi suffered a minor contracture in his leg during his team’s Champions League clash.

By India Today Web DeskLionel Messi has been ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 clash with Reims on Saturday, the reigning French champions have confirmed.

“He asked to be substituted during the Champions League game (against Benfica on Wednesday). He has a small problem with his calf, but he will be back in training on Sunday,” Caltier told a press conference on Friday.

Nuno Mendes, a fullback, will be sidelined for three weeks with a muscle ailment, while Kylian Mbappe has a throat infection, adding to PSG’s injury problem. However, the France forward, according to Galtier, is expected to be part of the squad even if he sits on the bench. That would allow 20-year-old Hugo Ekitike another start.

With 25 points from nine games and an unbeaten record, PSG remain top, two points ahead of Olympique de Marseille, who play bottom-placed AC Ajaccio on Saturday.

Asked whether he would switch from a three-man central defense to a reliable four-man back line due to injuries to Mendes and Presnel Kimpembe, Caltier replied that he would maintain his standard defensive strategy.

“I’m not going to change the system, especially since we don’t have much time to work, I just got back from Lisbon at 6am yesterday,” he explained.

Galtier added that PSG will travel by bus to Reims, 150 kilometers away, after facing criticism for allegedly overusing planes to travel to Ligue 1 games.