Lionel Messi has been stretchered off for Barcelona in their Champions League clash with Benfica.

Tito Vilanova chose not to start with the Argentine forward in their final group stage game, but brought him on midway through the second half as the Blaugrana pushed for a win.

With five minutes left - and the game still goalless - the Ballon d'Or nominee went down clutching his leg and had to be taken off the pitch at Camp Nou by medics, not long after he wasted an opportunity to give the Liga giants a late lead.