Messi out for two months

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is set to be sidelined for up to two months with a hamstring injury he sustained during Sunday’s match with Real Betis.

Messi limped off after 21 minutes of the 4-1 win and underwent further tests yesterday to determine the extent of the problem.

The injury rules Messi out of both of Argentina’s upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Bosnia-Herzegovina but more importantly up to eight matches for Barca.

If he is not available again before the end of the year, Messi would sit out four Primera Division matches, the Champions League clashes against Ajax and Celtic, and both legs of the Copa del Rey last-32 tie against Cartagena.

The world player of the year, 26, has suffered from hamstring issues in the past, including twice already this season having also damaged the left one in the first leg of the Spanish Super Copa and then the right one at the end of September.

His team-mate Cesc Fabregas, who experienced similar problems while at Arsenal, has urged Messi not to try to rush his recovery.

“He needs to take as much time as he needs, to recover and get back to his level. We need him at his best,” he said.