Messi injured, Neymar scores in Supercup stalemate

MADRID — Barcelona said forward Lionel Messi injured his left leg during yesterday’s match against Atletico Madrid, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Messi was replaced by Cesc Fabregas at half-time in the first leg of the Spanish Supercup at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

New signing Neymar scored the equaliser following David Villa’s opener for Atletico.

“Messi was substituted due to precaution for pain in the back of his left thigh caused by a knock,” Barcelona said.

The Argentina star 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.

Atletico, last season’s Copa del Rey winners, started brightly and Villa rounded off a slick, passing build-up with a first-time volley against his former club.

Martino’s men showed more potency in the second period and were rewarded for their pressure as South American Neymar headed in from Dani Alves’ cross, to salvage a draw for Barcelona.

The sides play the second leg at the Nou Camp next Wednesday.