Barcelona have lost Cesc Fabregas for four weeks after he suffered an injury in victory at Real Betis.
The Spain midfielder lasted just nine minutes of the 2-1 victory in Seville before being replaced by Alexis Sanchez.
A Barca statement read: "FC Barcelona's Medical Services have confirmed that Cesc Fabregas has torn the bicep femoris in his left thigh.
"He'll be sidelined for three to four weeks. Therefore, he'll miss the team's last three games in 2012 - the two Liga matches against Atletico Madrid and Valladolid and the away leg of the Copa del Rey against Cordoba.
"He could also miss the first games of 2013, against Espanyol and the return leg of the Cup at the Camp Nou."