Lionel Messi and Barcelona prep back in Spain for Bilbao barrage – in pictures

Barcelona players Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique shown at a team training session on Thursday at the club's Joan Gamper centre outside Barcelona. Andreu Dalmau / AFP

Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen takes part in a training session on Thursday ahead of the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup. Quique Garcia / AFP

Barcelona's Pedro smiles during Thursday's team training session ahead of the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Friday against Athletic Bilbao. Quique Garcia / AFP

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, with Luis Suarez to his left, shown on Thursday at the Barca club training session. Quique Garcia / AFP

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique shown on Thursday as he led a training session for his team ahead of the Spanish Super Cup first leg. Quique Garcia / AFP

Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic jokes with Javier Mascherano on Thursday during the team training session ahead of the Spanish Super Cup. Quique Garcia / AFP

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi takes part on Thursday in a club training session ahead of the Spanish Super Cup first leg against Athletic Bilbao on Friday. Quique Garcia / AFP

Images from Barcelona's training session on Thursday at their Joan Gamper facility in Sant Joan Despi as the club prepare for a trio of matches against Athletic Bilbao to begin their season – the two legs of the Spanish Super Cup, August 14 and 17, and then their La Liga opener at Bilbao on August 23. (Click the arrows below to scroll through the photos.)

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