Barcelona, April 1 (IANS): Lionel Messi is a major doubtful starter in FC Barcelona's return to La Liga action this weekend after Argentina coach Gerard Martino admitted that the striker was suffering from a foot injury.

Messi's injury caused him to miss Argentina's friendly win over Ecuador in New Jersey on Tuesday night. And he must now be considered a major doubt as Barcelona prepare to visit Celta Vigo on Sunday where they seek to defend their four-point lead at the top of the La Liga table, reports Xinhua.

"We waited to see if Messi would be fit until the last moment, but he couldn't play," said Martino, who last season coached Barcelona.

"He found it really hard to even tie his shoelaces and he was not in condition to play," added the coach.

Messi is thought to have suffered his injury in Barcelona's Champions League win over Manchester City, four days before they defeated Real Madrid in the "Clasico" in the Camp Nou Stadium.

The Argentinean had a relatively quiet game as his side defeated Real to open a four point lead over their rivals.

With Sunday's visit to Vigo, followed just three days later with a home game against Almeria, Barcelona will want to start treating their star player as soon as possible.