World Footballer of the Year, Lionel Messi, has been ruled out until 2014 after suffering a hamstring injury during Barcelona's win against Real Betis on Sunday.

The Argentine limped off after 21 minutes after injuring his left hamstring. The club underwent further tests on Monday, and ruled Messi out for two months.

A Barca statement read: 'According to the club's medical services, the tests taken on Monday morning by Leo Messi have confirmed that the player has suffered a torn muscle in the femoral biceps of his left leg.

'The approximate time he will be out is between six and eight weeks.

'The first part of his recovery will take place in Barcelona and the second, in Buenos Aires.'

While the news was met by discontent from the Catalan faithful, across the country in Madrid, Los Blanco fans would have been happy to hear the news.

For the first time in years Messi is not the front runner for the Ballon d'Or and with the Argentina international now ruled out for the rest of the year, Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will be keen to make their case known in order to claim the award.

Fans have been crying out for Ronaldo, in particular, to win it and after his hat-trick on Sunday, not many could argue that he would be a deserved winner.