After being challenged lightly from Atletico’s Diego Godin in Wednesdya’s 1-1 draw, Messi pulled up slow and then went to the ground before being taken off.
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The Argentina star was forced off just before the hour-mark after failing to shake off the effects of a tangling with Diego Godin, with initial reports suggesting he may have sustained a recurrence of the groin injury he suffered on worldwide duty this month.
The five-times world player of the year limped off in the second half of Barca’s La Liga match at the Nou Camp, moments before the visiting side equalised.
Messi will also miss league matches against Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo.
Ivan Rakitic’s first-half goal was cancelled out by a superb effort from second-half substitute Angel Correa as the La Liga rivals shared the spoils on the night.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be sidelined for the next 3 weeks due to a groin strain, dealing a huge blow to his club and country.
The result at Camp Nou, combined with the earlier 1-1 draw between Real Madrid and Villarreal at the Bernabeu, means the Blancos remain atop La Liga with 13 points.
Barca boss Luis Enrique spoke to the Spanish media about the loss of their key man: ‘Losing Messi is a loss to us and a loss to football. “That is what we want, but we haven’t won anything”, added the Frenchman. Football loses. We have to find solutions, knowing that with Messi we’re very strong.
The Catalan side had already lost Sergio Busquets to injury, with the midfielder replaced by Andre Gomes immediately after the restart. The biggest contest for Barca is Madrid, and we are not just talking about Real.
Except for a couple of tame shots – one of which Lionel Messi could have done better with on his left foot at the top of the box – Barca struggled to create.
However, Torres believes Atletico travel to Barcelona at the right time after hitting 10 goals without reply in their last three games.
A win against Villarreal would have beaten the 16-game win streak set by Barcelona.
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to action after missing the 2-0 win at Espanyol and spurned two early chances, firing over the bar and heading at goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo, who also had to punch away a close-range header from Karim Benzema.
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Ramos made amends three minutes after the restart when he leapt higher than two defenders to head Madrid level.
