Ousmane Dembele was back in Barcelona on training on Boxing Day, less than 10 days after playing for France in the World Cup final.
The Frenchman was reportedly due back on Wednesday, along with Jules Kounde, but has cut his holidays short in order to get back to work.
Dembele’s return will be a boost for Xavi and means the forward should be in contention to start against Espanyol on New Year’s Eve.
However, Xavi may have some work to do with Dembele after the World Cup. The 24-year-old played every match for France but was hooked in the first half of the final after a poor showing.