Luis Enrique on Lionel Messi out for three weeks: Football is the loser

Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be sidelined for the next three weeks due to a groin strain, dealing a huge blow to his club and country

Lionel Messi and (inset) Luis Enrique

Barcelona: Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be sidelined for the next three weeks due to a groin strain, dealing a huge blow to his club and country.

"To lose Lionel Messi means football loses and we lose," said Barca boss Luis Enrique. Messi limped off just before the hour mark of the Spanish champions' 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

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.

However, Messi should be fit in time for a reunion with old boss Pep Guardiola when Manchester City visit the Camp Nou on October 19.

"Now we have to look for other solutions," added Enrique. "With Leo we are much stronger, but without him we are still a strong team," Enrique said.

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