Lionel Messi is out of the hospital and the tests are looking good. As expected, the MRI did not find any further internal damage. It is just a nasty bruise.

His availability for Sunday's La Liga clash versus Betis depends on how he recovers. Cules around the world should feel relieved it is nothing too serious.

They had feared the worst when Messi was carried off the field after a collision with Benfica's Artur. But initial reports suggested it was just the bruise, nothing more.

Those reports now appear to be correct.

Barcelona may still be in a bind for the tricky trip to Seville if their star is not ready, but the Catalans should have enough firepower in any case to dispatch Real Betis.