Barcelona's Javier Mascherano has been ruled out for up to six weeks after suffering a medial ligament tear in his knee in the side's 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The versatile Argentinian was stretchered off in the closing stages of the match and was replaced by Marc Bartra, and the club have confirmed that the player will miss the majority of the season with the injury.

The former Liverpool midfielder was suspended for the return leg next week after being booked in the clash at Parc des Princes, but Mascherano will now be out of action until mid-May after picking up the injury in the 84th minute.

Barca forward Lionel Messi also suffered a hamstring injury in the game and was replaced before half time.

Written by
Paul Gorst