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Barcelona says injured Messi to miss league game

Lionel Messi scored vs. PSG on Tuesday but did not appear in the second half because of an injury.

Lionel Messi scored vs. PSG on Tuesday but did not appear in the second half because of an injury.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- Lionel Messi will miss Barcelona's Spanish league match this weekend because of a hamstring injury, but may play in the Champions League return leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi was substituted at halftime of Tuesday's 2-2 draw against PSG in Paris, having scored the first goal of the game before injuring his right leg.

Barcelona said Messi will definitely miss Saturday's game against Mallorca and "his availability after that will depend on how the injury progresses.''

Fellow Argentina player Javier Mascherano ruptured a right knee ligament Tuesday after teammate Jordi Alba fell on top of his leg late in the second half. Barcelona said he was expected to be sidelined for an "estimated six weeks.''

"I will return soon, thankfully it was not so serious,'' Messi said on his Facebook page. "We are so sorry for Masche (Mascherano), we will give our support.''

Messi suffered a similar injury to his current one in March 2008 against Celtic in the Champions League quarterfinals, and was then sidelined for five weeks.