Lionel Messi has been preparing for the new La Liga season by enjoying a kick-about with his huge pet dog in his garden.

The 31-year-old was granted an extended break from  Barcelona  boss Ernesto Valverde following his participation at the World Cup for Argentina.

And with the majority of his team-mates taking part in Barca's pre-season tour of the US, Messi has been honing in on his skills with his hulking Dogue de Bordeaux.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner's wife Antonella Roccuzzo uploaded a video on her Instagram account of her beau casually flicking the ball over their pet dog Hulk.

Just like the world's most gifted defenders, two-year-old Hulk proved to be out of his depth when attempting to dispossess Messi.

Laughter can be heard from Messi's children as their dad left their beloved pet out of breath and completely bamboozled.

The 2014 World Cup runner-up and his partner recently attended former team-mate Cesc Fabregas' wedding bash in Ibiza alongside Thierry Henry, John Terry and Luis Suarez.

He is currently recovering from international heartbreak yet again after Argentina crashed out of the last-16 in Russia.

And Valverde will be hoping he comes back firing on all cylinders ahead of the season opener against Alaves at the Nou Camp.

His side beat Tottenham on penalties in the International Champions Cup in the early hours of Sunday morning, and will come up against AC Milan on Wednesday.