Lionel Messi wraps up as Barcelona train for Espanyol tie
Lionel Messi and the rest of the Barcelona stars wrapped up warm as they took part in a light training session ahead of their derby game against Espanyol.
The majority of the Barca squad were all in winter gear while Messi was clearly intent on combating the chill by tripling up as he wore a hat, gloves and a snood.
Boss Ernesto Valverde kept a watchful eye over his players from the sidelines in a huge coat as they took part in some stretching and fitness exercises.
Lionel Messi wrapped up warm as Barcelona trained at their base on Saturday afternoon
Messi spoke with Barca's new £10.5million signing Yerry Mina as he stretched before training
Barca manager Ernesto Valverde kept a watchful eye over his players as they warmed up
Messi stood alongside and chatted to Barca's new £10.5million signing Yerry Mina as they warmed up at the club's Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training ground on Saturday.
The 23-year-old defender is yet to feature for Valverde's side since making the move from Palmeiras last month, but could be in contention for Sunday's La Liga clash.
The spirits appeared to be high in the Barca camp as the players took time out of training to joke around with team-mate Ousmane Dembele.
There is good reason for them to be enjoying their football at the moment as Barca are 11 points clear at the top of the La Liga table and also have one foot in the Copa del Rey final after beating Valencia 1-0 in the first leg earlier this week.
Valverde also showed that he was feeling the chill by zipping his coat right up over his chin
Messi wore a hat, gloves and a snood while team-mate Luis Suarez just opted for the snood
The Barca players took time out of training to joke around with team-mate Ousmane Dembele
Barca face a derby tie against Espanyol on Sunday next and Valverde will want to have his players well prepared for it.
Despite them currently sitting in 15th position with a relegation battle to contend with, it will be no walk in the park for Barca.
The last time they visited the RCDE Stadium in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg last month they lost by a single goal.
Barca managed to overturn that deficit with a 2-0 victory at the Nou Camp to knock their rivals out of the competition but will have to be at their best to pick up another three points on Sunday.