Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola has given Lionel Messi an extra four days off over the festive period.
The Catalans resume training after their short winter break on December 29 but their talismanic Argentine forward, who is spending Christmas with his family in Rosario, will not have to report back until January 2.
Brazilian right-back Dani Alves has also been given some extra time off, with the former Sevilla ace having been told that he does not have to return to Spain until December 31.
Barca’s South American contingent and Mali international Seydou Keita were all excused from Thursday night’s Copa del Rey clash with Hospitalet in order to allow them to return home early for the holidays.
The European champions are not in action again until the day after Messi’s return, January 3, when they take on Osasuna in the Copa del Rey. They then face rivals Espanyol in La Liga five days later.