4 ways in which Messi's injury could benefit Barcelona

#3 Messi’s injury would help in the integration of younger players in the squad

Messi's injury gave 16-year-old Fati a chance to shine

For all of Lionel Messi’s seeming extraterrestrial abilities, it must be remembered that he is very much human with the same frailties and shortcomings as the rest of us.

Despite the thought being too harrowing to fathom, the reality is that a time would come when there would be no Lionel Messi. Having turned 32 over the summer, that time is fast approaching; hence, the earlier Barcelona prepares for life without their record goalscorer, the better it is for the club.

Whenever he is fit, it serves as a no-brainer that Messi would almost always start, but injury concerns such as the one he faces at the moment paves the door for youngsters at the club to shine.

Given the path Lionel Messi as well as most of his legendary Barcelona contemporaries followed, it is highly likely that the player who would inherit the mantle would come from the La Masia ranks, as the club have a history of failing to hit the mark with big-money signings.

The injury sustained by Messi in addition to those suffered by Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele has opened a window of opportunities for youngsters to shine, and it is one that they are seemingly ready to grab with both hands.

Carles Perez scored his first senior goal for the club against Real Betis over the weekend, while the highly-rated 16-year-old Ansu Fati became the second-youngest player to represent Barcelona in La Liga in the club’s illustrious history and generally drew positive reviews.

For as long as Messi remains injured, these La Masia upstarts would be given a shot at glory, and seeing as they are potentially the future of the club, the faster they are blooded, the better it is for Barcelona’s prospects.