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Barcelona forward Lionel Messi to make early return to training

Lionel Messi is to return to training with Barcelona ahead of schedule, having been named as part of the 25-man squad for next week's trip to St George's Park.

Lionel Messi will cut short his holidays in order to return to training with Barcelona ahead of the new season.

The 29-year-old had been given an extended period of time off following his exertions with Argentina at the Copa America earlier this summer.

Argentina made it all the way to the final of the anniversary edition of the tournament before losing to Chile on penalties for the second year running, which led to the four-time Ballon d'Or winner calling time on his international career.

Messi has also had to contend with a high-profile court case, ending with a suspended 21-month sentence being passed down, but he will now return to his club for their visit to St George's Park next week.

Luis Suarez, Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal will also form part of the Catalan giants' 25-man squad, though there is no place for Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta or Ivan Rakitic who all competed at Euro 2016, while new signings Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne are also absent.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves134181422-813
17Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179
20Valencia11146817-97


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