Messi carted off with apparent knee injury

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Lionel Messi was carried off on a stretcher with an apparent knee injury as Barcelona was held to a 0-0 tie by Benfica in a Champions League match on Wednesday night.

With Barcelona already assured of advancing to the second round, Messi entered as a reserve in the 58th minute. The three-time FIFA Player of the Year collided with Benfica goalkeeper Artur in the 85th minute and was in obvious pain from his left knee.

Messi has 84 goals for Barcelona and Argentina this year, one shy of Gerd Mueller's 40-year-old record for most goals in a calendar year for club and country.