Madrid: Barcelona forward Lionel Messi hurt his left thigh during Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid and will undergo tests to determine the severity of the injury.
Messi was replaced by Cesc Fabregas at half-time in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup. New signing Neymar went on as a substitute in the 59th minute and scored the equaliser following David Villa's opener for Atletico.
Barcelona said in a medical report that "Messi was substituted due to precaution for pain in the back of his left thigh caused by a knock" and that he will undergo further tests Thursday.
Barcelona coach Gerard Martino said he didn't think twice about resting Messi. "If a player feels he has a physical problem that stops him from playing, it makes no sense to leave him on the pitch," Martino said.
Messi had a minor muscle injury in his left leg last week but was cleared in time for Sunday's Spanish league opener and scored two goals in a 7-0 rout of Levante. The Argentina star missed several games at the end of last season with a right hamstring strain.
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