Messi, Suárez, Neymar and Piqué begin vacations

Four FC Barcelona players - Luis Suárez, Leo Messi, Neymar Jr and Piqué - have begun their Christmas vacations after manager Luis Enrique Martínez confirmed after the derby win over Espanyol that the quartet will not be featuring against Hércules on Wednesday.

"The front three have never played the first round of the cup and I believe it is necessary that they begin their vacations," said Luis Enrique.

The rest of the squad will therefore be up for selection on Wednesday, before "enjoying seven or eight days off to be with their families".