Messi misses Barcelona game with illness

BARCELONA ( Reuters) - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi missed his side's La Liga game against Malaga on Saturday after being taken ill.

" Leo Messi has been ruled out of Saturday's game versus Málaga at the last minute," the league champions said in a statement on Saturday. "The striker was not feeling well and had vomited, making him unavailable for the match."

The five-times World Player of the Year has suffered frequent stomach problems in the past, and has been seen vomiting before and during games.

Messi is joint-top scorer in La Liga with eight goals, alongside strike partner Luis Suarez, who is suspended against Malaga.

Messi's place in the starting line-up was taken by Turkey international Arda Turan while Paco Alcacer replaced Suarez.

(Reporting by Richard Martin,; Editing by Neville Dalton)