With Dani Alves' tear in his soleus muscle (calf), Barcelona has now suffered a total of fifteen muscle injuries since the start of the season – the highest figure in the last three years.

Out of a grand total of 21 injuries since training began under the orders of Gerardo Martino, only six of them have been the results of knocks, while the rest – more than two thirds of them – have been the result of muscle problems.

This figure is higher than the previous two seasons. In the last campaign, under the orders of 'Tito' Vilanova, there were six injuries of this nature between August and November, whilst in 2011-2012 – Pep Guardiola's final season in charge – the 'Azulgrana' squad suffered 11 muscle injuries in the first four months of the competition.

The latest international break has left the Barcelona medical staff working overtime, and only Cristian Tello's injury in the form of a sprained ankle is the result of a knock.

Dani Alves' problem is added to by Victor Valdes' ruptured tendon in his right calf, which occurred in Spain's friendly against South Africa. He will be out of action for six weeks. Xavi Hernández, meanwhile, is suffering from muscle fatigue in his hamstring.

Nevertheless, undoubtedly the most significant ones are the three muscle problems suffered by the club's biggest star, Leo Messi.