Lionel Messi Ruled out for Three Weeks

Barcelona are set to be without Lionel Messi for around three weeks after he ruptured an adductor muscle in his right leg in the 1-1 draw at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.

During that period Barcelona play Sporting Gijón and Celta Vigo in La Liga and have a fixture with Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Champions League.

“He will be out of action for approximately three weeks”, Barcelona officials said in a statement.

“Missing Lionel Messi is a big loss for football, for everyone, not just us and we are sorry about that”, said the 46-year-old after the game.

He added: “Now we have to look for other solutions”.

Zinedine Zidane’s Real, who missed out on a La Liga record 17th straight victory when they drew 1-1 with Villarreal on Wednesday, visit Las Palmas on Saturday.

Ivan Rakitic had opened the scoring at the Camp Nou with five first half minutes remaining before Angel Correa’s 61st minute equaliser; the Argentine striker sweeping the ball into the bottom corner of the net from a Fernando Torres pass.

Perhaps more damaging for Barca was the loss of Messi to a possible recurrence of an existing groin problem, while Sergio Busquets was also withdrawn before the hour mark.

“We know we have to work hard and change things, above all how we start the game”.

And despite a surge of late pressure, Madrid couldn’t find a victor as the returning Gareth Bale was substituted and Cristiano Ronaldo frustrated by the heroics of Villarreal keeper Sergio Asenjo.

Villarreal got their reward just before half-time when Ramos handled Manu Trigueros’s shot and referee Jose Luis Gonzalez pointed to the spot.