Brazilian international Neymar has been left out of new Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino’s starting line-up for the Catalans opening league match of the season against Levante on Sunday.
The 21-year-old joined Barca for 57 million euros ($75.7 million, £49.5 million) back in May, but has had a disrupted pre-season due to his participation in the Confederations Cup in June and then reportedly being diagnosed with anemia.
Lionel Messi has been passed fit to start though after missing Argentina’s friendly with Italy in midweek with a quadriceps injury.
However, Martino has also left Spanish internationals Andres Iniesta and Jordi Alba on the bench after they were part of the Spanish squad that travelled to South America to play Ecuador on Wednesday.
Neymar on bench for Barca league opener
