Lionel Messi ruled out for eight weeks

Spanish champions Barcelona have been dealt a blow after talisman Lionel Messi suffered a knee injury during Saturday’s clash with Las Palmas that will rule him out for up to eight weeks.

The 28-year-old collided with goalkeeper Javi Varas inside the 18-yard box after just three minutes of the Catalans’ 2-1 victory.

Messi attempted to continue but failed to shrug off the knock, with Barca coach Luis Enrique replacing him with Munir El Haddadi seven minutes later.

And having been sent to hospital for tests, the European champions confirmed the Argentina captain will be out for seven to eight weeks with a tear in the internal collateral ligament of his left knee.

The injury could make the four-time Ballon d’Or winner miss the first Clasico against Real Madrid of the season on November 22.