Messi sidelined for three weeks with hamstring injury

Barcelona have announced that star player Lionel Messi will be absent for up to three weeks with a minor hamstring injury in his right leg, Reuters.com reports.

The 26-year-old was hauled off in the 29th minute to make way for Xavi in the game against Almeria where Messi found the back of the net in the 21st minute which was his eighth goal of the season.

The Argentina international will not be a part of the Champions League game against Scottish side Celtic and will sit out Saturday’s La Liga game versus Real Valladolid.

The Spanish champions will play Osasuna on October 19/20 after the international break. Argentina are set to play Peru and Uruguay.

The World Player of the Year’s hamstring had been nagging him since the start of this campaign.