Barcelona's Lionel Messi out up to three weeks with thigh injury

Barcelona has confirmed that Lionel Messi will be out of action for 2-to-3 weeks after suffering a thigh injury during his side's 2-0 victory over Almeria on Saturday.

Messi opened the scoring in the 21st minute before being subbed off in the 28th minute after feeling discomfort in his right leg. Tests conducted on Sunday confirmed that he suffered a minor injury and will be back training in a matter of weeks, Barcelona announced on its official website.

This news follows a long list recent injuries, including a thigh injury he suffered earlier this season during the club's Spanish Supercopa matches against Atletico Madrid. Despite the injury crisis, Messi has been named by Alejandro Sabella to represent Argentina in the latest round of international fixtures on Oct. 11 and 15.

The Argentine is expected to make a full recovery but is set to miss Barcelona's Champions League match against Celtic and league match against Real Valladolid. He could return for the Blaugrana's battle against Osasuna on Oct. 18, which directly precedes a Champions League clash with AC Milan and the first Clasico of the season against Real Madrid.