Leo Messi injured the wad about a week ago and missed the premiere away to Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames stadium in the Basque Country.

For the team's other big star Luiz Suarez, the match was over after just 37 minutes when he was forced to step off with a muscle injury in his right leg, something the club confirmed on Twitter during the match.

Then 38-year-old Aritz Aduriz was ofin enough to steal the show. The veteran was substituted in the 88th minute and just over a minute later the ball was in goal behind Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the Catalans' box.

Aduriz hit the post with a volley and hit the ball cycling in the air. The goal was decisive and meant that Barcelona lost a La Liga premiere for the first time since 2008.