Lionel Messi leads first Barcelona training session back as Suarez returns and Setien covers up in mask and gloves

LIONEL MESSI has led his Barcelona team-mates back in training for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown started.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was spotted dribbling through posts and doing short sprints on Friday as he prepares for LaLiga to resume.

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Lionel Messi put himself through the paces on Friday as he returned to Barcelona trainingCredit: MIGUEL RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images

The Argentine superstar was captured dribbling through posts as he prepares for LaLiga to resumeCredit: MIGUEL RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images

Barcelona boss Quique Setien was seen wearing a protective mask and gloves during trainingCredit: MIGUEL RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images

The Argentine superstar’s fellow attackers Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez were also put through their paces following coronavirus tests earlier this week.

Barcelona boss Quique Setien, 61, was seen wearing a protective mask and gloves as he watched over Jordi Alba warming up during isolated training.

However, there was no sign of Ousmane Dembele following reports that Barcelona are not even bothering to test him for coronavirus because of their disinterest in playing in LaLiga again this season.

The Frenchman arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 as part of a deal worth £138million but hasn’t played since November due to injury.

But the rest of Barcelona’s players are now back on the training pitch after the country relaxed its strict lockdown rules this week.

There is still no set date for when LaLiga will resume its season, although an early June date is being targeted in order to complete the campaign by the end of July.

Catalan broadcaster RAC1 claimed that, as per AS, that five players have tested positive for coronavirus following the first round of tests but none are from Barcelona.

The LaLiga champions currently sit top of the table, two points clear of rivals Real Madrid with 11 games remaining.

Zinedine Zidane’s side and city-rivals Atletico also returned to training on Wednesday.

Spanish league president Javier Tebas has always been adamant the season WOULD finish, saying a cancellation to the season would cost a staggering £840million.

In England, some clubs are following similar training methods with Arsenal opening their London Colney base to allow players to work alone.

It is a similar situation in Italy with champions Juventus heading back in on Tuesday for the first time.

But in Germany, Bayern Munich have been training since April 6 and the Bundesliga are hoping to get sanction behind-closed-doors matches as early as May 15.

Luis Suarez goes for a light jog as he builds his fitness back up following coronavirus lockdownCredit: MIGUEL RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images

World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann practices his strikes after netting eight league goals in his debut season at the Nou CampCredit: MIGUEL RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba takes to the training pitch after Spain eased lockdown measures this weekCredit: MIGUEL RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk