Lionel Messi ruled out for up to eight weeks with knee ligament injury

Barcelona have confirmed that forward Lionel Messi will be out for seven to eight weeks with a knee ligament injury.

The 28-year-old was taken off after 10 minutes in Barcelona's 2-1 win against Las Palmas after being caught while taking a shot and was taken to a local hospital for tests.

Initial reports stated that the tests on the Argentine international were inconclusive but the team have now announced that Messi could be out for up to two months.

A statement on the club's website wrote: "The tests carried out confirm that Leo Messi has suffered a tear in the medial collateral ligament of his left knee. He will be out for around six to eight weeks."

The four-time Ballon D'or winner could miss eight games and faces a race to be fit for the first El Classico of the season against Real Madrid on November 22.