Barcelona: Lionel Messi is uncertain when he will return to action for Barcelona having suffered a series of injuries this season.

“I am improving and feeling better but it is not possible to say when I will be ready to play, we will have to see how it goes,” said the World Player of the Year. “My target is to get back and enjoying playing again.”

It has been a frustrating run for the Argentine, who suffered yet another hamstring strain in the first half of Barcelona’s La Liga match against Real Betis on November 10.

It was Messi’s fourth injury, with the first during pre-season, as hamstring strains have returned to plague him. Of the 11 significant muscular injuries he has had while at Barcelona, nine have involved his hamstrings.

The arrival of Neymar, however, has meant Barca have not been as dependent on Messi this season but the injury problems could hamper his chances of winning a fifth consecutive Ballon d’Or although he remains among the favourites alongside Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and France’s Franck Ribery.

Messi, however, says winning awards is not his objective. “Winning awards is not my objective. But then, it shows how well the team has been playing and it reflects the group as a whole who have supported me,” said Messi.