MADRID, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona player Lionel Messi has suffered bruising to his left thigh, FC Barcelona confirmed via its official website on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Messi was withdrawn at halftime of Wednesday's Spanish Super Cup first leg against Atletico Madrid and could not play in the second half, being replaced by Cesc Fabregas.

After medical tests held on Thursday, Messi was diagnosed with a thigh bruise which might prevent him from playing in Barcelona's second Spanish league match happening on Sunday against Malaga.

Despite the absence of the four-time world player of the year in Wednesday's match against Atletico Madrid, Barcelona's new acquisition Neymar scored a goal and the match resulted in a 1-1 draw after former Barcelona player David Villa had scored first.