Lionel Messi and Barcelona step up training after La Liga confirms restart date - in pictures

Spanish football expected to return on June 8

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La Liga clubs have two weeks remaining to get ready for the restart of the season after the Spanish government announced on Saturday June 8 as the resumption date.

"Spain has done what it needed to do and now new horizons can open for everyone. The time has come to recover many of our daily activities. From June 8 La Liga will be able to return," Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said. "Spanish football has a huge following but it will not be the only recreation activity that will return."

While no doubt welcome news, players now have limited  time to build up match fitness having been inactive since mid March when Spanish football authorities imposed a lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Spanish champions Barcelona stepped up their preparations for the league's restart with another full on training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and even received a visit from club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Barca will hope to hit the ground running when La Liga resumes. The Catalan giants hold a two-point lead over arch rivals Real Madrid with 11 games remaining.

For the best pictures from Barcelona's latest training session, browse through the photo gallery above. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.