Setback for Barca as injured Messi sidelined for three weeks

Barcelona have suffered a major blow as star striker Lionel Messi has been sidelined for at least three weeks due to a groin injury which he suffered during team's 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in their fifth La Liga clash on Thursday.

Messi pulled up lame shortly after the hour mark when he tussled with Diego Godin for the ball, immediately clutching his right leg.

Confirming the news, the club wrote on their official Twitter account, "Leo Messi has groin strain in his right leg and he will be out for around 3 weeks."

Following the match, manager Luis Enrique admitted that it was a great loss for his side to lose Messi as his presence makes the team stronger.

"To lose Messi means that football loses. With Messi we are stronger, but we will continue being strong," Barcelona coach Luis Enrique told reporters after the match," the manager was quoted as saying by goal.com.

The Barcelona talisman is expected to miss out the upcoming Champions League tie against Borussia Monchengladbach as well as trips to Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo.

Earlier, Messi sustained a groin problem during international duty with Argentina and had played just 30 minutes in the recent 2-1 defeat to Alaves.