Watch heartwarming moment Lionel Messi gives gifts to sick children as Barcelona stars make hospital visit

LIONEL MESSI and Luis Suarez visited sick children in hospitals to give them presents in a heartwarming break from Barcelona action.

The visits to the hospitals took place on Sunday, the eve of the Three Wise Men day celebrated in Spain on January 6 when children receive gifts.

A wide selection of players and staff were seen meeting and greeting some of the patients and even giving them presents and snapping some pictures together.

The video shows the moment Argentine superstar Messi, 32, gives a high five to a child who is off camera and greets another who he takes a picture with.

He then signs what appears to be a picture of himself and gives it to him.

The Barcelona forward is also seen giving blue gift bags to some of the young patients as the video comes to an end.

Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, 32, was also seen posing with Messi and one of the patients.

Barcelona divided their squad into several groups and sent the players and staff to several hospitals around the city.

Even club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, 56, was seen posing with centre-back Samuel Umititi, 26, Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, 22, and some patients.

The visit to the hospitals came after Barcelona had a training session where fans were allowed to attend for a fee of £2.55 at Johan Cruyff Stadium.

A reported 5,668 spectators attended the practice as several took advantage to take pictures with some of the players.

Barcelona are coming off a 2-2 draw against Espanyol, who are bottom of La Liga. They are ahead of Real Madrid in La Liga on goal difference.