Lionel Messi missed training with his Barcelona teammates this morning because of a fever.

The majority of the Catalan club's players underwent a cool-down session following their 3-1 defeat at home to rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey last night.

However, Argentine international Messi was not present and was instead visited at home by the team's doctor, who told the 25-year-old to recuperate over the next 24 hours.

Despite his absence, Messi is expected to return to training either tomorrow or Friday and should be available for selection for the second El Clasico clash of the week on Saturday.