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.”
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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.
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).
