Barcelona return to training without Lionel Messi and other World cup stars

Barcelona returned to training on Wednesday although it will be a while before coach Ernesto Valverde has his whole squad available once again.

Valverde called on 15 players as his second season in charge at the Camp Nou began with physical tests and assessments.

Sergi Roberto and Nelson Semedo, neither of whom were called up for the World Cup, were the only first-team regulars present at the Ciudad Deportiva in Sant Joan Despi, Spain. A number of other players who took part in the tests face uncertain futures this summer.

Jasper Cillessen, Rafinha, Paco Alcacer, Lucas Digne, Andre Gomes and Aleix Vidal have all been linked with moves away from the club. Others -- such as Munir El Haddadi, Sergi Samper, Douglas and Marlon Santos -- return from loans but are unlikely to be around when the season begins in August.

Barca's first game in the U.S. is against Tottenham Hotspur in Los Angeles on July 28, and they then face Roma in Dallas and AC Milan in Santa Clara, California.