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. In a bid to pull a comeback, Santi Cazorla scored a goal, but the Villarreal forwards were unable to find the back of the net again leaving barca to coast home with 3points.
Although far from their fluent best, Barcelona climbed four places up the table to fourth in La Liga to help ease the pressure on boss Ernesto Valverde after a poor start to the season.
However, the Spaniard will be hoping Messi’s setback is not serious.
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.
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.
