Barca Loses Again, Despite Messi's Return, to Cement Worst Start to League in 25 Years

Barcelona is seventh with seven points from its first five matches.

MADRID — Not even Lionel Messi's return was enough to prevent Barcelona from making its worst start to the Spanish league season in 25 years.

Messi came off the bench in the second half to make his first league appearance of the season on Saturday night as Barcelona lost 2-0 at promoted Granada.

Barcelona is seventh with seven points from its first five matches. Not since 1994-95—five points after the first five games—has Barcelona had such a bad start.

Ramon Azeez and Alvaro Vadillo scored a goal in each half for Granada, which is top of the league with 10 points after its third win of the season.

Coming off two straight seasons in the second division, Granada hadn't beaten Barcelona in the league since 2014. It had lost six straight matches against the Catalan club.

Messi, who had been sidelined with a calf injury since preseason, also came off the bench to play in Barcelona's 0-0 draw at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

His only chance on Saturday came with an 82nd-minute shot from inside the area that was saved by the goalkeeper.