"Iniesta isn't training," said a Brazilian reporter with an expression of mock concern at Barcelona's training ground.
Behind him, the other 22 of Spain's domestic league and cup winners limbered through one of their final training sessions before Saturday's Uefa Champions League final against Juventus in Berlin.
The cameraman was not satisfied with the take and the reporter repeated the news that one of the club’s greatest players was not training and might be unable to play in his third European Cup final, although he was present.
Andres Iniesta’s absence from the training aside, coach Luis Enrique had every reason to feel satisfied as he surveyed his players wearing fluorescent bibs and €1,500 (Dh6,000) GPS vests, which, the club says, have reduced muscle injuries at Barcelona by 50 per cent.
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His team aim to win the treble for only the second time in the club’s 116-year history. They have improved throughout the season, they have carried few injuries and they look like the best team in the world right now.
As the players went through their moves on the pristine surface of Camp Tito Vilanova, a lone crane driver building apartments in one of the few areas around Barcelona where there is space watched from his cab.
He was fortunate. Prying eyes are blocked out by vast advertising billboards.
One of the club’s photographers was afforded access all areas and could reach over players when they huddled to convene after an exercise.
Lionel Messi, in ankle socks exposing a leg tattoo up to his knees, worked hard under the watchful sunglass-covered eyes of Enrique. The mood was serious and the basketball hoop the players had installed for end-of-session fun saw no action.
After the session Iniesta was asked about his injury.
“I’m not even thinking about not being there on Saturday,” the 31-year-old midfielder said.
“From here until Saturday everything will be fine and I’m sure I will be ready to play, to help win the Champions League and to crown a very special season for all of us.”
The other Barca players spoke in similar tones and terms.
Xavi and Javier Mascherano were the most articulate, German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen spoke fluently in English but said little beyond clichés about wanting to win.
Sergio Busquets said of opponents Juventus: “It’s going to be very complicated, very hard. Their system is different to ours in midfield, they play with a line of four, we’re not as many. We need to keep possession and win the game in midfield.”
Tributes were paid to Xavi, who hopes to collect a record-extending 25th trophy in the team’s colours on Saturday before departing for Qatar.
“Xavi is No 1,” Iniesta said. “I have been very fortunate to have him as my friend and teammate for my whole career. I hope this last game for him will end in the desired victory.”
Xavi smiled. “Who doesn’t want to win?” he asked.
“We’re Barca, we train to win, we’re a winning team. Drawing a game is almost failure here.
“It has been like that for a generation and the fact we are here shows it has been successful.”
Few players get to bow out at the top in a Champions League final like Xavi. “For me it’s a spectacular end to my Barcelona career. I want to end it winning,” he said.
Barcelona are favourites to do so, but despite a feeling of euphoria, Mascherano denied that the team were wrapped up in it.
The Argentine agreed that if the players believed they could not be beaten then it was a dangerous attitude.
“This euphoria among people is not how we feel,” he said. “We can, and do, control our emotions and, as soon as the ball is rolling, then there’s no favourite team.”
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