Lionel Messi Injures Hamstring, Will Miss Next Match

Lionel Messi of Barcelona holds his leg after pulling a muscle during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match against PSG on April 2, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (2013 Getty Images)

Lionel Messi helped Barcelona gain a slight edge in its Champions League quarterfinal with Paris Saint-Germain, then limped off after injuring a hamstring.

Blaise Matuidi scored on the last kick of the game, giving PSG a 2-2 tie Tuesday night in the first leg of the total-goals series.

Messi, the four-time FIFA Player of the Year, scored his 57th goal of the season in the 38th minute, then favored his right leg in the final minutes of the first half and was replaced by Cesc Fabregas at the start of the second.

According to ESPN, Barcelona announced Wednesday that he has a “thigh muscle injury.”

He is expected to miss the teams next game against Real Mallorca at home this Saturday ending his 19 game scoring streak in La Liga’s Primera division.

He might return for the Champions League second leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week.

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano left on a stretcher in the 84th minute after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during a collision with teammate Jordi Alba. Already missing injured defenders Carles Puyol and Adriano Correia, Barcelona said Mascherano will be sidelined for six weeks.

"We've paid a heavy price, because we've lost Messi, and Mascherano for probably six to eight weeks," Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura said. "Of course it will be a big loss if we lose Messi, the best player in the world. But we have Cesc and other options, so we are confident from that point of view."

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.