Barcelona striker Lionel Messi ruled out for three weeks

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has been ruled out for three weeks after sustaining a groin injury against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.

Just before the hour mark, the 29-year-old pulled up after an innocuous challenge involving defender Diego Godin and soon signalled that he wanted to be substituted.

Messi will miss a total of five games, including Barca's Champions League meeting with Borussia Monchengladbach and Argentina's World Cup qualifiers with Peru and Paraguay.

The attacker has scored eight goals in as many games this season but he was unable to find the net against Atletico as Barca were held to a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou.