The European and Spanish champions will open the defense of their league title against Sporting Gijon on Monday August 31, five days before Argentina meet bitter rivals Brazil.

The league match has been moved to that day because Barcelona's European Super Cup against Shakhtar Donetsk will be played on August 28.

"The European Super Cup is on the Friday and at the end of the day it is the player who suffers in these situations," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola told a news conference.

"He wants to play with Barcelona, but because of the FIFA regulations, he would have been cutting it fine to join up with his national team. I have given him permission."