Alves will play first league game

Speaking to journalists after yesterday's training session, Barcelona right back defender Dani Alves has confirmed that he will take part in Barcelona's first league game against Sporting and won't travel early to Brazil:

"I don't see any problem there. Leo will leave before the game and I will leave after the game. For Argentina, Messi is a key player. When he's not there, that has a great influence. My case isn't the same at the Brazilian national team. I'm not a fixed starter, I'm just one of the guys. I wouldn't make a big deal of this."