Ankle injury may force Messi out for two weeks

Barcelona's Lionel Messi could be out for a fortnight after club doctors confirmed the Argentine had sustained ligament damage to his right ankle in his side's 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid last night Messi, 23, was stretchered off in the final minute of the match following a robust challenge from Czech defender Tomasz Ujfalusi who collected a second yellow card for his tackle.

"We are happy with the win but sad about Messi," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

"The TV pictures speak for themselves. It is not only Cristiano Ronaldo (of Real Madrid) who needs protecting. The referees should protect all the players."

Messi, who scored the opening goal in the Atletico win, is expected to miss league matches against Sporting Gijon, Real Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao along with the Champions League trip to Rubin Kazan on September 29.