Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Barcelona’s Champions League tie against Scottish champions Celtic this week.
La Pulga Atomica was forced off the field after scoring in the first-half of Barca’s weekend La Liga win over Almeria.
He damaged his thigh, and the club now says he will miss at least two matches while he recovers.
"Leo Messi has a small injury to the biceps femoris [thigh] in his right leg," a Barcelona statement read.
"This was confirmed by medical tests undertaken by the player on Sunday morning at Medical Services Sport City. The Argentinian will be out for approximately two to three weeks, which will certainly force him to miss Barcelona's two games this week – on Tuesday against Celtic and next Saturday at the Camp Nou against Valladolid."
Barca’s win over Almeria meant they have now won all seven of their league matches so far this season, their best ever start to a campaign.
But the win came and record came at a heavty price, after Messi- who has already scored 11 goals this season- hobbled off injured.
His absence will give Celtic confidence of shocking Barca for the second season in a row in the Champions League.
And they will be further aided by the fact that Barca’s defence looks even more patchwork than usual, with makeshift centre-back Javier Mascherano and left-back Jordi Alba both out with hamstring twangs.
