MADRID (AFP) -- Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will be out of action for three months after injuring his left foot in a league game against Zaragoza on Sunday.

The Catalan club said that the young Argentine star had broken a bone in his foot after an eighth minute tackle, but had stayed on the field only to come off 15 minutes later after another blow to the injury.

Messi's injury is a further blow to Barcelona's hopes of retaining the Spanish league title and the Champions League trophy with striker Samuel Eto'o also out for five months with a bad knee injury.

Brazilian midfielder Edmilson was also injured in the game twisting an ankle and he will be out for around 10 days, while Argentinian international forward Javier Saviola has been ruled out for up to six weeks after injuring his left thigh scoring the final goal in Sunday's 3-1 win.