Barcelona look set to be without teenage Argentina star Lionel Messi for at least three months after he picked up a foot injury during Sunday night's Primera Liga match against Real Zaragoza at the Nou Camp.

The 19-year-old Argentinean was injured in the 23rd minute of the match, and was replaced by Ludovic Giuly in Barcelona’s 3-1 win.

It has since been confirmed by the club that Messi has suffered a broken metatarsal and will need to undergo an operation.

“Messi has fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot,” said a statement on the official Barcelona website.

“The treatment will be surgical, and the expected loss is around three months.”

This means Messi will miss the two crucial Champions League matches - against Levski Sofia and Werder Bremen - which the defending champions need to win, or risk facing an embarrassing early exit, in the first group stage of the tournament.