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

Spanish football expected to return on June 8

Lionel Messi controls the ball during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

Lionel Messi and Arturo Vidal take part in a Barcelona training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu talks to players next to Head Coach Quique Setien (R) and CEO Oscar Grau (2nd L) during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

Barcelona players pose for a photo during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

Antoine Griezmann during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

Arthur Melo during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

Gerard Pique plays the ball under pressure from Arturo Vidal during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen saves a shot during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

Arturo Vidal and Gerard Pique during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

Ronald Araujo controls the ball during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

Sergio Busquets sprints during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

Riqui Puig jumps during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

Luis Suarez during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

Jordi Alba during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

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.