Barcelona duo Neymar, Suarez play 1st game since World Cup exits

AP, Tuesday 19 Aug 2014

Neymar
Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, right, reacts after scoring with his teammates Neymar, from Brazil, left, and Dani Alves, against Leon during the Joan Gamper trophy friendly soccer match at the Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Aug. 18, 2014. (Photo: AP)

Neymar and Luis Suarez played for the first time since their dramatic World Cup exits, with the Brazilian star scoring twice Monday in Barcelona's 6-0 rout of Mexican champion Leon in a preseason tuneup.

The last time Suarez played he infamously bit an Italian opponent at the World Cup, drawing a four-month ban from competitive matches.

The Uruguayan striker has since transferred to Barcelona from Liverpool. He was cheered by his new fans at Camp Nou during the team's introduction. He entered as a substitute in the 75th minute to more applause.

Neymar hadn't played since fracturing a vertebra during the World Cup on July 4, ruling him out of the rest of the tournament. He was deemed fit to play hours before the game against Leon.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

Short link: