An injury to Lionel Messi overshadowed Barcelona's 2-1 win over Las Palmas as the Argentina forward was ruled out for up to eight weeks with a torn ligament in his knee.

Luis Suarez's double was enough for Barca to pick up the win, but they were more concerned with the well-being of their inspirational frontman, who lasted only nine minutes of the match before suffering the injury in a clash with Pedro Bigas.

While Messi was taken to hospital for tests, Suarez struck twice and might have had a hat-trick before Jonathan Viera's deflected goal late on set up a nervy finish.

After the match, Barca announced that Messi was facing an extended spell on the sidelines.

"Messi has a tear in the internal collateral ligament of his left knee,'' the club said via Twitter. "He will be out for around 7-8 weeks.''

Barca needed a tranquil afternoon following their 4-1 defeat to Celta Vigo in midweek, their heaviest loss in the league for seven years, but the Nou Camp was shocked by the sight of Messi needing treatment in the penalty area with just three minutes gone.

The Argentinian, who has been injury-free since a hamstring problem in November 2013, initially tried to continue but was soon replaced by Munir El Haddadi.

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