Barcelona, Aug 27 (IANS): Spanish champions FC Barcelona held a training session here on Thursday morning, before star footballers Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez travelled to Monaco for the European Champions League (CL) group stage draw later in the afternoon.

The training session began at 10:00 a.m., earlier than usual in order for the three players to be able to travel, reports Efe.

Iniesta will take part in Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)'s tribute to Barcelona for joining the list of clubs that have won the Champions League title at least five times, while Messi and Suarez will be in attendance hoping to win the Best Player in Europe award.

Messi is favoured to win this award, though Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is eying the prize as well, and both players are nominated to win the Champions League 'Goal of the Season' award.

All available Barcelona footballers showed up for Thursday's workout, and will return to training on Friday morning to prepare for the Malaga clash next Saturday in the second round of La Liga.