Messi trains with the team

Leo Messi landed in Barcelona this afternoon and went directly to the Ciutat Esportiva to meet up with his teammates and get fitted for new boots ahead of the team’s training session. It’s been a month since the Argentinian player, who picked up an injury on November 29, trained on the pitch of Sant Joan Despí. Messi, who has yet to be declared match fit, took part in the team’s second training session of the day.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic urges Barcelona star Lionel Messi to join PSG

Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes signing Lionel Messi would take Paris Saint-Germain to the next level and make them European title contenders.

Rumours in the French media have suggested the big-spending Paris side are preparing a record bid for Barcelona's Argentina playmaker.

Ibrahimovic played alongside Messi during his two-year spell at Camp Nou but struggled to forge a successful partnership with the diminutive forward.

However, the Sweden international believes the addition of his former team-mate and four-time Ballon d'Or winner would make PSG a force to be reckoned with in Europe.

"If he's up for sale then the whole world will be after him, not just PSG," Ibrahimovic said at a winter training camp in Doha.

Messi enters third stage of injury recovery as Barcelona return nears

The Argentine has begun work on his physical conditioning after tearing a thigh muscle in November as he attempts to be ready to return to action following the winter break.

Barcelona have received encouraging news ahead of 2014 after confirming Lionel Messi has entered the third and final stage of his injury rehabilitation.

Messi has been sidelined since the Liga clash with Real Betis on November 10 with a torn left femoral bicep, and has spent the past three weeks recuperating in his native Argentine at the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association.

Lionel Messi lashes out at Barcelona vice president

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has hit out at Javier Faus over comments the club vice president made questioning the need to improve the Argentine World Player of the Year's contract.

In unusually strong language for the mild-mannered 26-year-old, Messi told Catalan radio broadcaster RAC1 Faus knew "nothing about football" and denied demanding improved terms to the deal he signed in February that ties him to the Spanish champions until June 2018.

Faus, who oversees economic affairs at Barca, told RAC1 this month he did not understand why Messi would need a better contract given that he had only recently agreed a new one.

Messi: Ronaldo will be good for World Cup

Lionel Messi says despite the current hype around Cristiano Ronaldo, he has been “playing well for years”.

Ronaldo was pivotal to Portugal’s qualification for Brazil 2014, scoring all four goals in a 4-2 aggregate victory over Sweden last week.

The two superstars are both in line for the Ballon d'Or, and have been pitted against each other in the media recently, after Fifa president Sepp Blatter revealed – supposedly as a joke – that he prefers the Argentine.

Roberto Carlos tips Ronaldo for Ballon d'Or

The former Real Madrid full-back believes the Portugal star deserves this year's prize and has backed Gareth Bale to become "one of the best" at Santiago Bernabeu

Former Real Madrid and Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos has revealed his confidence that Cristiano Ronaldo can beat the likes of Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery to the 2013 Ballon d'Or.

The Portuguese sensation has netted 62 goals in 2013 already has 24 this season, although a lack of silverware with Madrid in 2012-13 could hamper his chances of lifting the prestigious individual prize for the first time since 2008.

Lionel Messi's team have rubbished reports of spat between him and Barcelona

Lionel Messi's management team have rubbished reports of a rift between the player and Barcelona.

The four-time world player of the year is facing six to eight weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, the third such setback this season.

Argentine doctor Luis Garcia, who is not an employee of the Spanish champions, has been assigned to work with the 26-year-old on his recovery prompting speculation Messi was unhappy with the club's own medical staff, and in particular physiotherapist Juanjo Brau, over his recurring injury.

Ribery: I deserve to win Ballon d'Or

The winger, who has shone as Bayern Munich won the treble in May and been brilliant this season, believes he has taken his game up a level recently

Bayern Munich attacker Franck Ribery says he deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or over fellow frontrunners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Frenchman has shone in 2013 as the Bavarians stormed to a Bundesliga title win, lifted the DFB-Pokal and became European champions, and have started the current campaign under new coach Pep Guardiola in terrific fashion too.

Moyes: Januzaj can learn from Messi behaviour

The 18-year-old was stamped on by Sascha Riether on Saturday and his Manchester United boss says he can learn from the Barcelona star's approach.

Manchester United manager David Moyes has called for more protection for Adnan Januzaj while suggesting his player looks to Lionel Messi's reaction to poor tackles.

Fulham defender Sascha Riether was charged with violent conduct by the Football Association on Monday following United’s 3-1 win at Craven Cottage, when he stamped on the youngster.

Messi: I'm not at 100% yet

The Argentina international has admitted that he is still recovering physically after a spell on the sidelines through injury, but is confident his best form is around the corner.

Lionel Messi has taken to social media to respond to critics who have expressed concern over his recent form for  Barcelona.

The forward, 26, has failed to score in his last four Liga appearances, something that has not occurred since April 2011, on the back of recovering from a thigh injury.