Barcelona star Lionel Messi will miss at least two matches with an ankle injury picked up in Barcelona's 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
The Argentine was carried off in second-half injury time after a tackle by Atletico defender Tomas Ujfalusi.
Tests confirmed ligament damage to the Argentina forward's right ankle.
Messi, the World Player of the Year, will miss the games against Sporting Gijon and Athletic Bilbao, with further tests to follow at that point.
Barcelona take on Rubin Kazan in the Champions League on 29 September. Messi will hope to be back for the Champions League trip to Rubin Kazan
Despite Ujfalusi being shown a straight red card for the tackle, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was critical of referee David Fernández Borbalán.
"We are happy with the win but sad about Messi," said Guardiola at a post-match news conference.
"The TV pictures speak for themselves. It is not only Cristiano Ronaldo who needs protecting. The referees should protect all the players."
Messi had put Barcelona ahead in the 13th minute at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, but Raul Garcia equalised 11 minutes later.
The Spanish champions spurned several second half chances before Gerard Pique secured the points with a powerful strike from close range.
source: BBC news
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