Madrid, Feb 2 (IANS): FC Barcelona confirmed Monday that Argentine star Lionel Messi missed training due to "personal reasons".

"Messi hasn't trained today, with the permission of the club, due to personal reasons," the La Liga club said in a statement, reports Xinhua.

It is just over a month since the four-time World Player of the Year missed another training session, claiming to be suffering from gastroenteritis, one day after he had been left on the bench in Barcelona's 0-1 defeat against Real Sociedad.

Messi's absence on that occasion sparked a crisis at the club as speculation grew over coach Luis Enrique's future due to his strained relationship with the star player.

However, since then Barcelona had a eight-straight victories to move into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and remain just a point behind arch-rivals Real Madrid in La Liga.

Messi scored the winning goal in Barcelona's come-from-behind 3-2 win against Villarreal Sunday.