Lionel Messi and his Barcelona team-mates arrive in London

Lionel Messi has met with Gary Lineker and his four sons, shortly after European giants Barcelona touched down in London for their clash with Chelsea on Tuesday in the Champions League.

Lineker shared the picture on his Instagram on Monday with the caption: ‘So this just happened. Finally managed to organise something that genuinely excited all 4 boys….oh, and dad. Thanks @leomessi.’

Ernesto Valverde’s men appeared in a very relaxed mood on Monday as they arrived in gloomy London on the eve of their first leg match against Antonio Conte’s side. 

Lionel Messi met with Gary Lineker and his four sons Angus, George, Harry and Tobias (L-R)

Messi and his Barcelona team-mates are in London for their clash with Chelsea

Messi and his Barcelona team-mates are in London for their clash with Chelsea

Luis Suarez and his Barcelona colleagues come up against Chelsea on Tuesday night

Luis Suarez and his Barcelona colleagues come up against Chelsea on Tuesday night

Ivan Rakitic appeared in a joyful mood as he arrived in rainy London on Monday

Ivan Rakitic appeared in a joyful mood as he arrived in rainy London on Monday

Jordi Alba gives his thumbs up to the camera on arrival in the English capital

Jordi Alba gives his thumbs up to the camera on arrival in the English capital

Messi shared a picture on his own Instagram page of him leaving his team’s plane having arrived in the English capital.

The likes of Messi, Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Ousmane Dembele were earlier snapped at Barcelona Airport getting ready to make their way onto the plane.

It comes as no surprise that the Catalan giants are in high spirits as they go into the European clash in very good form.

Barcelona are unbeaten in their last eight fixtures in all competitions, while Conte’s squad have been in very mixed form.

At the weekend, Barcelona had to work hard to overcome Eibar in La Liga 2-0 thanks to goals from Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba. 

The victory ensured the Nou Camp outfit maintained their very healthy seven-point advantage at the summit of the Spanish top flight ahead of Atletico Madrid.

Messi and Barcelona were pictured leaving Spain for London earlier on Monday morning 

Messi and Barcelona were pictured leaving Spain for London earlier on Monday morning 

Samuel Umtiti (left) and Ousmane Dembele pose for a photo as they prepare to board

Samuel Umtiti (left) and Ousmane Dembele pose for a photo as they prepare to board

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen appeared in a more focused mood on Monday 

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen appeared in a more focused mood on Monday 

Gerard Pique will be hoping to keep a clean sheet against Antonio Conte's men on Tuesday

Gerard Pique will be hoping to keep a clean sheet against Antonio Conte’s men on Tuesday

And Messi, who as ever has played an instrumental role this season, will be looking to continue his fine form on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge and put Chelsea to the sword.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is just three goals away from joining the Champions League 100 club but he will have to do something he has never done before to get there in the next two games – score against Chelsea.

In eight meetings between 2006 and 2012, Messi failed to find the back of the net in 655 minutes on the pitch against the Blues. 

The last time the two teams met was in the 2012 Champions League semi-final, when he struck the bar from the penalty spot at the Nou Camp, which ended up costing Barcelona a place in the final. 

The Argentine will be desperate to get his revenge against the Blues and help Barcelona gain an advantage going into the second leg on March 14. 

Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba (left) both netted as Barcelona beat Eibar 2-0 on Saturday in La Liga

Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba (left) both netted as Barcelona beat Eibar 2-0 on Saturday in La Liga

Ernesto Valverde's men go into the European clash at Stamford Bridge in very strong form

Ernesto Valverde’s men go into the European clash at Stamford Bridge in very strong form

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has never scored in eight meetings against Chelsea

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has never scored in eight meetings against Chelsea

 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk