MADRID, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona said on Thurday Lionel Messi, the four-time world player of the year, will soon go back to his home country Argentina for the second phase of recuperation from hamstring injury.

"Once he has finished the first part of his recuperation, Lionel Messi will travel on Friday to Argentina, as had been planned, to begin the second phase under the supervision of the club's medical services," said a statement on the club's website.

Messi suffered his third and most serious muscle injury of the season earlier this month in a 4-1 win away to Real Betis.

He will be sidelined until the beginning of the new year.