The centre-back appears certain to miss both of Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final matches with Paris Saint-Germain.

Puyol came on as a substitute during his side's emphatic 4-0 victory against AC Milan on Tuesday, but after complaining of discomfort, Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque decided not to include him in his squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with France and Finland this month.

It is not the first time stalwart player's right knee has caused him problems, with the 33-year-old also sidelined last May by a similar problem.

Puyol signed a new three-year deal at Camp Nou in January.