Las Palmas defender Pedro Bigas has spoken about the challenge that led to Barcelona's Lionel Messi suffering knee ligament damage.

Bigas was involved in a coming-together with the Argentine during their La Liga clash at Camp Nou late last month, which forced Messi off the field.

Tests later revealed that the Argentine was facing a two-month lay-off with ligament damage and Bigas has said that he 'hopes Messi recovers quickly' from the blow.

"I didn't do it on purpose. I played the ball and he was hurt taking the shot. He's a great player and I hope he recovers quickly," Marca quotes Bigas as saying.

"I wanted to speak with him after the game but he had gone to the hospital for tests. I didn't know he was hurt [at the time ], only after when the game had stopped.

"The impact was with the ball, me and him. I don't want to keep going over it but hopefully he recovers soon as he's one of the best players in the world."

Messi is expected to return to first-team action in late November.

Written by
Matt Law