Lionel Messi on fire as Barcelona step up training for LaLiga restart

Lionel Messi is back in full flow as Barcelona step up their preparations for the return of LaLiga next month.

The Argentine attacker, sporting a new clean-shaven appearance, looked sharp and determined in a video posted by the Catalan club (which can be seen below), as he flew past several of his team-mates in Tuesday's session.

In it, the Barca captain is shown sprinting to win the ball back from Riqui Puig playing a one-two with Sergio Busquets, then another with Arthur Melo, before toying with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and finally flicking the ball into the net.

"Football isn't ready," Barca said on their Twitter account in the caption which accompanies the video.

Messi, though, clearly is ready for football's return after almost two months of inactivity due to coronavirus, with the squad having followed a strict schedule at home before training resumed on May 8.

LaLiga is due to restart on June 11, with Sevilla's derby at home to Real Betis pencilled in for that night.

Barcelona, two points clear at the top over rivals Real Madrid, will be in action away to Mallorca some time in the following days.