Lionel Messi suffered an injury on his first start of the season in Barcelona's narrow win over Villarreal at the Nou Camp.

Messi, who had recovered from a calf injury to feature, was replaced at the start of the second half after suffering a thigh problem.

The Argentine, making his 400th La Liga start, provided the corner for Antoine Griezmann to head home off the bar before Arthur made it 2-0.

Santi Cazorla pulled a goal back.

After the game, Barca boss Ernesto Valverde described Messi's injury as a "small problem in the adductor".

"When something happens to Messi, everyone stops, not only on the field, but in the stands as well," he said.

"As a precaution we have decided not to risk it. In theory, it is nothing more but we will see tomorrow how it is."

Although far from their fluent best, Barcelona climbed four places up the table to fourth in La Liga to help ease the pressure on Valverde after a poor start to the season.

After his injury, the Barca captain received treatment on the edge of the pitch before carrying on until half-time.

The forward was replaced by French striker Ousmane Dembele at the start of the second half.

Nigerian youngster Samuel Chukwueze played the full 90 minutes at the camp Nou.

Elsewhere, newly promoted Granada went top of La Liga - level on points with Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid - after drawing 1-1 at Real Valladolid .

Real Madrid entertain Osasuna on Wednesday (20:00 BST) while Bilbao are at bottom club Leganes (18:00 BST).

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49818184

A bad news for my team indeed.. We will survive this.

Hmmmmmmmmm. May has turned to Welbeck or Neymar

Fillage people don finally reason this one matter, the luck wey him get be say he don win 5 balon d'ors

Old age done come, Bone nor strong as before.

Yesss

Eh ya
Old man

Lolllll

........... aging is natural meaning it brings about depreciation. glorious days are gone by only left ahead are legendary days. messi is gradually becoming the past and archive.

And some ignoramus will be comparing this midget to CR7. This one that is having injuries like broiler chicken.

They should sack Valverde already

Lol Barcelona is doomed this season

Chai! Which kain wahala be this?

After Robbing Ronaldo

How did his injury add oil to your yam

The GOAT will still bounce back, this doesn't change the fact that he's still the best in the world

What do we call this now? It seems to me that Messi was rushed back from his previous injury because of Barca miserable start to the season.

Now that injury is back and let's hope it is worst than the last one. Messi will surely return to claim his throne in La Liga, no doubt except "village people are involved.

But the question now is, how will Barca survive with the absence of their Alpha? The board of the club needs to sit down and figure out a way to win games convincly and that the dependence on Messi is for success will not last forever.

Inside life

May be his end is near

Maybe his end is near

After stealing award he doesn't deserve I hope he doesn't comeback for the rest of the year na relegation he go meet his team

more troble for barcer.please dear nairalanders pls i need ur help.see my signature below

Age is telling on him Barcelona should start planning life without him

Praktikals:
And some ignoramus will be comparing this midget to CR7. This one that is having injuries like broiler chicken.

And your fraud nko? Did he play yesterday? Small award when he no win,he became depressed and sat at home forming motivational speaker.

Maradona was a good player

Messi is a better player

Cr7 is the best player

Small small make Ur career no end as a result of dat