Barcelona begin pre-season training with 26 players under Xavi’s command

Barcelona started their pre-season camp today at the club’s training facilities. Led by manager Xavi Hernandez, as many as 26 players are taking part in the first pre-season session ahead of the 2023/24 season, reports Mundo Deportivo.

It has been just over a month since Barcelona brought the curtains down on a successful campaign, finishing as the La Liga and Spanish Super Cup winners.

And now they are kicking off preparations as they look to get into shape for the defence of the La Liga title while hoping to better their recent performances in Europe.

The first day of the pre-season started off with medical and fitness tests of all the 26 players involved, of which there are three stars who have returned from their loan spells, while a dozen have been called up from the youth and reserve ranks.

The three players who are back from their loan spells and are part of the opening day of the pre-season are Clement Lenglet, Sergino Dest, and Nico Gonzalez, all of whom are likely to leave the club before the season kicks offs or even before the US tour later this month.

As for the first-team members that have shown up on the first day of the new pre-season, they are Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Marcos Alonso, Pablo Torre, Inaki Pena, Raphinha, Sergi Roberto, Ferran Torres, Alejandro Balde, Eric Garcia, and new signing Inigo Martinez.

Another summer arrival, Ilkay Gundogan, is expected to join the team on July 18.

Other internationals who were involved in matches last month such as Jules Kounde, Ousmane Dembele, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, Ansu Fati, Frenkie de Jong, and Franck Kessie are also expected to arrive next week.

Ez Abde, too, has received some extra days off after leading Morocco to the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations triumph this past weekend.

The 12 youth players that Xavi has under his command for the first day of the pre-season are Pau Prim, Pau Cubarsi, Diego Kochen, Angel Alarcon, Estanis Pedrola, Mikayil Faye, Hector Fort, Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Marc Casado, Marc Guiu, and Unai Hernandez.