Missing Messi proves costly for Barca

• AP, Wednesday, July 25, 2012 6:29 PM

Lionel Messi's missing Barcelona's exhibition at Hamburg SV because of a right leg injury will cost the Spanish club $436,000 -- one third of its appearance fee in Germany.

Although without the world's greatest player, Barcelona beat Hamburg, 2-1, on goals by Dani Alves and Gerard Deulofeu.

Barca was also without its Spanish national team players, still on vacation after winning the European Championship final July 1.

The length of Messi recovering depends on his response to treatment, said club officials.

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