Neymar scored his first competitive goal for Barcelona on Wednesday night as the Brazilian wonder kid helped salvage a point for coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s side in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup.
Ex-Barcelona striker David Villa, who moved to the Estadio Vicente Calderon during the summer, gifted last season’s Copa Del Rey winners a first-half lead.
Second-half substitute Neymar equalised for the La Liga champions in the 66th minute, running in at the back post to head home a Dani Alves cross.
Barcelona have confirmed that Lionel Messi, who was replaced at half-time by Cesc Fabregas, has injured his left leg.
“Messi was substituted due to precaution for pain in the back of his left thigh caused by a knock,” the Catalan giants said in a statement.
The home team were a hard nut for Barca to crack as Villa scored a superb volley from the edge of the box on 12 minutes to hand Los Rojiblancos the lead.
After weekend’s 7-0 drubbing of Levante at the Camp Nou, Fabregas and Neymar started from the bench and it was the South American, who was introduced in the 59th minute that leveled up for the visitor, rising highest to power in an away goal.
Both sides meet at the Camp Nou for the second leg on Wednesday 28 August.
