Barcelona's emphatic 3-0 victory over Valencia at Mestalla was overshadowed by Lionel Messi's injury which is likely to rule the Argentinean out of next week's Classico against Real Madrid. The 20-year-old forward limped off the pitch shortly before the break with a left thigh injury. According to Spanish daily Marca, Messi had torn a muscle and would be out of action for a month. He will probably be forced to watch the crucial Primera Liga clash from the stands. "It's the worst thing that could happen to Barcelona," sports director Txiki Begiristain told the club's website. "He is a player who can turn a game and is in form. We hope he recovers as soon as possible." Eto'o Excellence
Eto'o scroed twice Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o, who scored in the Champions League against Stuttgart after recovering from injury, notched twice to help Barca outclass Valencia. He scored his first league goal this season in the 13th minute when he received Messi's pass inside the area, sidestepped two defenders and rifled into the far corner. Eto'o doubled the lead in the 27th minute after being fed by another smart pass from Messi. He drilled home past the motionless Santiago Canizares. Icelandic versatile striker Eidur Gudjohnsen heaped more misery on Valencia in the 62nd minute with an easy tap-in into an empty net after connecting with Giovani dos Santos's low cross. Barcelona are second in the league table with 34 points. They narrowed the gap with leaders Real Madrid to one point. Primera Liga holders Real face Osasuna at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Valencia's recent poor run of results leave them in seventh place on 25 points.
