Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi has been ruled out of the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal clash against Guangzhou Evergrande on Thursday with renal colic.
The La Liga giants, which have won the competition twice in 2009 and 2011, will have to proceed without the services of the four-time Ballon d'Or winner, the Guardian reported.
"Leo Messi, last-minute absentee from the Club World Cup semi-final. The player has renal colic," the club confirmed on Twitter.
"His future availability will depend on the outcome of further medical tests," the club stated on their website.
Barcelona, which won the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del this year, are aiming to round off their spectacular season with a bang in the Club World Cup.