Messi suffers fractured arm that rules him out of El Clasico

Barcelona defeated in-form Sevilla 4-2 on Saturday but the victory became insignificant as their star player Lionel Messi suffered an injury that will keep him out of the team for at least next three weeks.

A Barcelona club statement read: "Tests carried out on Leo Messi have confirmed that he has a fracture of the radial bone in his right arm. He will be out for approximately three weeks."

The incident happened a few minutes after Messi scored the second goal for his side in the 12th minute.

After a tussle with Sevilla's Franco Vazquez, Messi fell to the ground and tried to cushion the landing with his right hand but his elbow appeared to buckle.

Watch the video here:

Three-week ouster means that he will miss season's first Clasico against Real Madrid which is scheduled on October 28.

He will also miss Barca's Champions League game at home to Inter Milan on Wednesday and will sit out for a La Liga trip to Rayo Vallecano on November 3 and the Champions League return match against Inter Milan in Italy on November 6.

It is expected that he will return for the league game at home to Real Betis on November 11.

"It is clear it is a blow," Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said. "We know what he gives us and we know what he does to the opposition. 

"We have to prepare ourselves, it is clear we are going to notice the loss of Messi but we have players that can cover."