BARCA PULL THROUGH WITHOUT MESSI

Midfielder Xavi Hernandez flicked in a cross from the left by Ronaldinho Gaucho in the fourth minute to give Barcelona FC a 1-0 triumph over Scotland's powerhouse Celtic as the Spanish club advanced 4-2 overall.However, the young talent Lionel Messi, the competition's leading scorer with six goals, pulled up as he made a run. He left the field in tears in the 35th minute of the second-round, second-leg match at Camp Nou.

This serious injury was similar to the one which sidelined Messi for six weeks in December and January, club officials admitted."I feel sad and I really feel for him and for the team, above all for Leo (Messi), who is very upset," Barcelona president Joan Laporta stated afterwards.

It's important to consider that the Argentine international, who scored twice in Barcelona's 3-2 win in the first leg, had been recalled to the starting lineup to join with Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o, with Thierry Henry left on the bench.In the end, the blaugrana team advanced to the quarterfinals on 4-2 aggregate.