Barcelona news: Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez Christmas plans confirmed

LIONEL MESSI and Luis Suarez have been granted an extended break by Barcelona.

After dismantling Real Madrid 3-0 in emphatic fashion yesterday, Barca are enjoying life atop of La Liga and they are 14 points clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid.

Suarez and Messi both got on the scoresheet as Zinedine Zidane’s men were humbled at the Bernabeu.

The pair have had exhausting campaigns with the Catalan giants.

And with their next game until January 4, the Barca squad have time to recover.

Barcelona posted a club statement on their website which read: “The FC Barcelona squad are now on their Christmas holidays. 

“The final whistle at the Bernabéu and the 3-0 victory over Real Madrid marked the beginning of the festive break for the players until their return to training on 30 December at 6.00pm CET. 

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Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have been given an extended Christmas break

Luis Suárez, Leo Messi and Javier Mascherano all have the Club's permission to rejoin the rest of their team mates on in the New Year on 2 January. 

“On 5 January, the players will take part in the traditional open doors session at the Miniestadi with tickets available to the public.”

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Ernesto Valverde's men are now off until January 2

Messi’s strike from the spot against Real was his 54th goal in all competitions for Barca in 2017.

The Argentine lost out to his arch rival Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d'Or.

However, the five-time winner is likely to have the last laugh at the end of the season, with Ernesto Valverde's men 14 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga table.