Barcelona, Sep 22 : Superstar striker Lionel Messi will be out of action for at least three weeks after suffering a right groin strain during FC Barcelona\'s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in a La Liga football match.

The five-time world player of the year left the match at the Camp Nou stadium here on Wednesday in the 59th minute, three minutes after sustaining the injury, reports Efe.

The Spanish club\'s medical staff said if the projected recovery time proves correct, the 29-year-old striker would miss La Liga games against Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo and a Champions League clash against German side Borussia Monchengladbach.

He could return to action on October 15 for a La Liga match against Deportivo La Coruna.

Messi to miss 3 weeks with groin strain