Messi misses training with stomach illness

The Argentine, who did not start Sunday's defeat to Real Sociedad, missed Monday's session with the first team along with Rafinha

Lionel Messi was unable to participate in Barcelona's open-door training session on Monday due to suspected gastroenteritis.

Luis Enrique chose not the start the Argentine in the club's first game back after the winter break on Sunday, giving South Americans such as Messi, Neymar and Dani Alves an extended rest due to their late return to Spain.

However, the coach's leniency backfired as the Catalunya club were beaten 1-0 at Real Sociedad and questions were asked about whether sidelining Messi for the notoriously troublesome trip to the Anoeta was wise.

The Argentina international was due to participate with the rest of the first team in a training session open to thousands of visiting children, but stomach problems left him sidelined and put him in doubt to appear in Thursday's Copa del Rey clash with Elche.

Rafinha also missed training on Monday due to an ear infection, while Jeremy Mathieu was the only other player not participating in the group session as he focused on individual recovery work.

Barca's defeat to David Moyes' men means that they failed to leapfrog La Liga leaders Real Madrid, who remain a point ahead of them in the table with a game in hand. Last year's champions Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, are now level on points with the Catalans. 

Should Barca defeat Elche over two legs in the Copa del Rey last 16 then they will face the winner of Real and Atletico's tussle later this month.