Lionel Messi news: Barcelona star was substituted for precautionary measures
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Barcelona dismissed reports that Lionel Messi was substituted due to injury concerns on Thursday.
The Argentinian striker scored the fourth goal after 82 minutes, as the Catalans defeated Malaga in the 4-2 Copa del Rey quarter final second leg victory.
Two minutes after he netted, Messi was substituted, suggesting he was carrying an injury, but the Camp Nou outfit insist they brought the Ballon d'Or winner off just as a precaution
Assistant manager Jordi Roura told the club's official website: "We brought Messi off the as a preventative measure.
"The adductor in his right elf was giving him problems. It's nothing serious."
Roura, who has taken charge of the first team for four games so far this season, while manager Tito Vilanova has been ill, believes that the team showed Malaga how to win in style.
The former La Masia graduate added: "Once again, these players proved what they are made of.
"They gave a footballing lesson, an they've given quite a few! Frankly, the whole team played well."
Roura, who has been assistant manager at Barcelona since 2009, said that these victories were "helpful for Vilanova and [Eric] Abidal" who have both suffered from different forms of cancer in the past year.
The win at the La Rosaleda means that Barcelona go through to the semi finals, 6-4 on aggregate, where they will face arch-rivals Real Madrid.
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