Good news, Barcelona supporters, Lionel Messi will not require surgery for a knee injury sustained during Saturday's 2-1 victory over Las Palmas.
Further, Argentina national team doctor Donato Villani claims the 28-year-old will return earlier than the initial sideline assessment of 7-8 weeks.
Related - How Lionel Messi's latest injury compares to past ailments
"This is not damage that requires surgery," Villani told Argentina daily Ole. " It will heal with time off from play as the first step and then kinesiology.
"I have known Leo for years and I have no doubt that he is going to be ready to play again in the shortest time possible, maybe before the date that was estimated."
Messi sustained the injury in the opening stages of the game when he cut in from the right wing before having his shot blocked by defender Pedro Bigas.
After receiving treatment, Messi attempted to continue before being replaced by Munir El Haddadi as Barca fans held their collective breaths in fear of a long-term injury.
Rest assured, Barcelonistas, Villani is here to assuage all of your concerns.
"The injury was to the ligament on the inner part of the knee, a ligament that is extra-articular, that obviously suffers injury like any other ligament, but this one is outside the joint. He avoided a valgus force injury of the joint, it is not a tear that needs surgery.
"This ligament injury takes about six to eight weeks to heal. After that time, the player can be ready to return with no further problems."
Despite initial assessments, Villani expects Messi's recovery time to be far shorter than initially assumed.
"I am sure of it because Leo is a player who goes crazy when he can't play, when he doesn't have the ball and that is why his rehab will go quickly and in the best way because he is a professional.
"His desire to return to plan and his will to get better will have great influence. He always wants to play."
(Translation courtesy of ESPN FC)
