Messi will be out for 6-8 weeks due to torn hamstring — Barcelona

Barcelona's Argentine star Lionel Messi will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks due to a muscle tear in his left hamstring muscle, the Spanish giants said Monday.

The 26-year-old limped off after just 20 minutes of Barcelona's 4-1 win over Real Betis on Sunday and was replaced by Andres Iniesta.

It was the third time this season that he has been forced off with a muscular problem following hamstring and thigh injuries in his right leg.

After Sunday's match Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino said Messi's injury troubles were not related and the absence of the four-time World Player of the Year could never be used as en excuse for the team to not perform.

"We have the best player in the world, but we also have four or five of the next six or seven best players in the world. Therefore, as a coach, the absence of Messi should never be used as an excuse for not winning.

"The injury to Messi doesn't have anything to do with the previous ones because it is in the other leg."