Madrid: Barcelona's attack is deserted. Argentines Lionel Messi and Javier Saviola joined Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o in the squad's injury list, which is particularly worrying as they have a busy few weeks ahead.
 
Messi will undergo surgery and will miss the next three months after it was confirmed that he has a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his left foot. Saviola in turn will be out of the team for four to six weeks with a muscle injury in his left thigh.

In just over two months of competitive play, Barcelona has lost two of the three spikes of its magical 'trident' made up by Eto'o, Messi and Ronaldinho, a society that gave the club plenty to cheer about last season.
 
To make matters worse, Saviola is out of the team just as he emerged as a very worthy replacement in the eyes of manager Frank Rijkaard.

Messi's injury happened in Barca's controversial Sunday game against Zaragoza, when rival player Alberto Zapater inadvertently stepped on him. The Argentine tried to stay on the pitch but could not go on after another foul by Albert Celades, so he left his place to Ludovic Giuly halfway through the first half.
 
Rumours about the injury were quick to spread and Barcelona's medical services did not even wait 24 hours to see the evolution of the player. He was tested in the stadium facilities, and the worst suspicions were confirmed straight away.

"Messi suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal of the left foot. The treatment will be surgical and the estimated injury time is around three months," the report said.

The 19-year-old striker will not be back on the pitch until next year, although the nature of his injury makes it difficult to establish an exact period of absence.

 Recovery depends on the evolution of the physical problem and, above all, on rehabilitation, which is complex.

If all goes well, Messi could be back in mid-January, but his absence could go as far as February or March.

One thing is certain though - Barcelona will have to play games without Messi or Saviola, which are just as important as the two remaining matches of the Champions League in which the defending champion is in a delicate position.

To progress to the next round Barcelona will have to win both games - against Levski Sofia (Nov 22) and against Werder Bremen (Dec 5).

The two strikers will also miss the FIFA Club World Championship in Tokyo from Dec 10-17.

The injuries of both Argentine players could open the door to young Mexican Giovanni dos Santos, who did part of the pre-season training with the first team and is currently playing for the club in the third category of Spanish football.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Monday that there will be no new signings, so the team will play for the rest of this year with just four strikers - Ronaldinho, Giuly, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Santi Ezquerro, possibly with the 'promotion' of Dos Santos.
 
The thrilling, tough game against Zaragoza left another injury, since Brazilian defensive midfielder Edmilson sprained his ankle and will miss the action for about 10 days.