Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be sidelined for the next three weeks due to a groin strain, dealing a huge blow to his club FC Barcelona and country Argentina
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) leaves the pitch with the team's doctor after being injured during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. AFP PHOTO
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Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be sidelined for the next three weeks due to a groin strain, dealing a huge blow to his club FC Barcelona and country Argentina. The Argentine captain is set to miss his country's World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay next month as well as Barca's Champions League clash at Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Messi limped off just before the hour mark of the Spanish champions' 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Messi will also sit on the Catalans' La Liga trips to Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo.
"Leo Messi has a groin strain in his right leg and he will be out for around three weeks," Barcelona said in a statement. "To lose Lionel Messi means football loses and we lose," said Barca boss Luis Enrique.
Messi will also sit on the Catalans' La Liga trips to Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo. However, he should be fit in time for a reunion with old boss Pep Guardiola when Manchester City visit the Camp Nou on Champions League duty on October 19.
The five-time World Player of the Year missed Argentina's World Cup qualifier with Venezuela earlier this month due to the problem and only started Barca's shock 2-1 defeat to Alaves 10 days ago on the bench as coach Luis Enrique bedded him back into action gently.