Javier Mascherano has been ruled out of action for one month after suffering a thigh injury in Argentina’s 4-2 loss to Nigeria in an international friendly.
The Barcelona defender played 90 minutes for the La Albiceleste in the Russian city of Krasnodar on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old’s absence will be a huge blow for Barcelona who may now turn to former Arsenal man Thomas Vermaelen.
Mascherano will miss his team’s Champions League group games against Juventus on November 22 and then Sporting Lisbon on December 5.
However, the Spanish giants will hope the former Liverpool man recovers in time for the El Classico tie against Real Madrid on December 23.
