Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi, who has played alongside Lionel Messi for Argentina, has talked about his countryman's absence for their UEFA Champions League tie with FC Barcelona on Wednesday.
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In his debut UCL season, the 25-year-old has already struck twice in as many matches for Inter and will be hoping to continue his form when his side take on Barca at the Camp Nou this week.
Messi, who fractured a bone in his right arm in the Catalan club's 4-2 LaLiga win over Sevilla this past weekend, will not be available for the match, which Icardi sees as a boost for his team.
"It's a pity Messi can't be there because it's nice to play against great footballers like him, who is one of the best in the world," he said, according to Sport.
"He's a big miss and it means we can go head to head (with Messi gone) because we have the qualities needed to take them on."
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Messi has scored five goals in two matches in this year's Champions League campaign so far, but will have to wait for the chance to add to his tally after his injury ruled him out for three weeks.
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