The core of Barcelona's Champions League-winning squad has returned to preseason training without star forward Lionel Messi.
Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta were among a group of 16 players that reported for physical tests Monday morning and will undergo a light training session later.
Messi and Argentina teammates Javier Mascherano and Gabriel Milito, plus Barcelona's Brazilian players, Daniel Alves and Adriano, have been given extended leave after playing in the Copa America.
Argentina lost its quarterfinal against Uruguay on Saturday and Brazil went out at the same stage to Paraguay on Sunday.
Injured captain Carles Puyol will also miss the opening sessions, while forward Bojan Krkic was excused ahead of his expected move to Italian club Roma.
Puyol will continue rehabilitation work after having an operation on his left knee in June.
Barcelona has not signed nor sold any players, but Spanish media is reporting that a move worth up to ?40 million ($56 million) for Chile winger Alexis Sanchez is imminent.
Sanchez has been representing his country at the Copa America, but negotiations with his Italian club Udinese are expected to accelerate after Chile lost in the quarterfinals to Venezuela on Sunday.
Barcelona also has a long-standing interest in Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, a former Barcelona academy player.
