Barcelona star Lionel Messi misses Spanish Supercopa semifinal with injury

Barcelona superstar forward Lionel Messi was absent from the lineup for Wednesday's Spanish Supercopa semifinal versus Real Sociedad because of the injury he sustained in the 4-0 La Liga win at Granada last Saturday. 

The exact nature of the problem remains in question. 

ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens reported that Messi could be sidelined through Sunday's final if Barcelona were to topple Real Sociedad. However, Luis F. Rojo wrote for Marca that the 33-year-old hopes to play through the left-leg injury against either Real Madrid or Athletic Bilbao if the Catalans advance. 

Messi requested that manager Ronald Koeman remove him from the second half of Saturday's victory because of the setback and then tweaked the issue while training on Tuesday. Per Marsden and Llorens, Messi didn't even board the team bus for Wednesday's training session. 

Real Madrid face Athletic Bilbao in the second semifinal on Thursday, with the final scheduled for Sunday in Seville. 

Messi hit the back of the net twice versus Granada and helped Barca get to within three points of rivals Real Madrid in the league table. Barcelona sit on 34 points, with Real on 37 and league-leaders Atletico Madrid on 41.