Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is set to miss the next three weeks after sustaining a groin injury during the 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid.
Messi was forced off in the early stages of the second half, after appearing in some discomfort as Barcelona looked to get forward.
[BREAKING NEWS] Leo Messi has groin strain in his right leg and he will be out for around 3 weeks pic.twitter.com/LrzDbsgqM6
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 21, 2016
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique says the Argentine’s injury was not only a blow to his side, but a loss to the fans.
“To lose Messi means that football loses,” Enrique said following the match.
“With Messi we are stronger, but we will continue being strong.”
The Catalan side will now be without their Argentine forward for upcoming games against Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo in La Liga, while he will also miss their second Champions League group game against Borussia Monchengladbach, before October’s international break.
It is not the first time this season that the Argentine has suffered a groin injury, after earlier this month returning to the Nou Camp early from international duty to begin rehabilitation.
The draw with Atletico means Barcelona squandered the chance to close the gap on early leaders Real Madrid to one point, and now sit three points behind their rivals in third place.
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