Up for it! Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano back in Barcelona training early

Lionel Messi could not wait any longer. After playing the Copa America final on July 4 the Argentine was given a month's holiday, and told he didn't have to report back to Barcelona duty until August 5. 

However, the Barcelona No 10 and Javier Mascherano cut their vacations short by a nearly a week so they can join their team-mates and get up to speed ahead of the first official games of the season, the European and Spanish Super Cups.

On Thursday morning the two Argentines turned up at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Luis Enrique had given the other players the day off, apart from Dani Alves, Neymar Jr and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who have to pass their routine start of season medicals. 

The surprise was that Messi and Mascherano turned up, in their respective cars. Just on Tuesday, Messi's partner Antonella Rocuzzo, shared a video of the Barcelona star on the treadmill, getting ready for the season ahead. 

Both will train over the next few days, to be ready to play against Sevilla in Tbilisi on August 11 in the European Super Cup, then Athletic Club on the 14th and 17th, in the Spanish Super Cup.

They could also have minutes in the Joan Gamper Trophy, which will be disputed against Roma on August 5 at Camp Nou.