First training session following Christmas break

FC Barcelona got back to work at the Ciutat Esportiva following the Christmas holidays. The first team took part in the penultimate training session of the year in which Barça started preparing for the first game of 2017 on the 5 January against Athletic Club at San Mamés. The fixture corresponds to the first leg of the Copa del Rey round of 16 and marks the start of a testing run of fixtures in the new year.

Luis Enrique led Friday's workout with the available first team players on the second pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva. Jasper Cillessen, who has injured his soleus muscle in his left leg and will be out for around two weeks, didn't train today. Neither did Suárez, Messi, Neymar Jr or Mascherano who had permission for an extended break ending on the 2 January. Jéremy Mathieu did make it on to the training pitch and the team the French defender, along with the rest of the squad, will take part in the final training session of the year on Saturday at the Ciutat Esportiva.