Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks due to a muscle tear in his left hamstring, the Spanish club said on Monday, his third leg injury this season.

The 26-year-old Argentina international limped off after just 20 minutes of Barcelona's 4-1 win over Real Betis on Sunday and was replaced by Andres Iniesta.

It was the third time this season he has been forced off with a muscular problem following hamstring and thigh injuries to his right leg.