Video: Barcelona settled in the Midlands
Barcelona and their superstar players have set up home in the Midlands as they continue their preparations for another gruelling campaign.
The Spanish giants jetted into England yesterday and have based themselves at St George's Park – the National Football Centre and headquarters for the FA which is based in Staffordshire.
Amongst the crop of world class players to make the trip is arguably the world's best player in Lionel Messi, as well his strike partner Luis Suarez.
Luis Enrique's side will be based at the Staffordshire complex until Friday before they travel to Dublin to face Celtic in in the International Champions Cup.
The reigning Spanish, European and Club World Cup champions have also confirmed pre-season matches against new Premier League champions Leicester and Europa League finalists Liverpool.
On what was an incredibly busy day at St George's Park – home to England's 24 national teams, Dudley-born Sam Allardyce was officially unveiled as national team manager in the morning.
Enrqiue then lead his team out for an open training session in the evening – with the pubic given a brief glimpse of the talented squad he has at his disposal.
Football fanatics were given 15 minutes to watch Messi and Co in action with supporters able to attend every day this week if they want to see the footballing idols in the flesh.
Earlier in the day, the team flew into Birmingham airport before making their way up to Staffordshire.
Once at the football base, Messi, sporting his new blond haircut, was in high spirits as he joked around with fellow striker Suarez.
It's the second time Barcelona have used the complex. The Spanish outfit also used the £105m facility in 2014, ahead of coach Enrique's first season in the Nou Camp hot-seat.
St George's Park general manager Holly Murdoch said: "I am absolutely thrilled that we have once again been able to attract Barcelona to come and train at St George's Park.
"We've been lucky enough to have already welcomed over 150 clubs to our facilities since we opened in 2012.
"I truly believe that the return of Barcelona is proof of our growing reputation as an inspirational sports facility both at home and abroad."
