Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique invite Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas for reunion dinner

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Before scoring the third goal against them in a dominant victory, Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas spoke of the special place in his heart that he will always reserve for Arsenal.

But the former Gunners captain appears to have an even bigger area kept for his other former club, Barcelona, or, more specifically, the life-long friends he acquired while coming through their famed La Masia academy system.

Having helped strengthen Chelsea's grip on the Premier League title, Fabregas traveled back to the city of his birth to catch up with Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique.

Lionel Messi posted a picture with Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas and Pepe Costa 

Messi, who himself scored for Barcelona in their weekend victory over Athletic Bilbao, posted a picture of the two stars and his long-term confidant Pepe Costa enjoying a catch-up together with the simple caption: 'Meal with friends'.

And with Chelsea's next game not scheduled until Sunday, Fabregas need not rush back to west London and may even find time to catch Barcelona's crucial Copa del Rey clash against Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona welcome their title rivals to the Nou Camp on Tuesday evening for the semi-final second leg and take a narrow 2-1 lead into it after last week's gripping away tie.

Fabregas and Messi retains a close friendship after coming through La Masia together

Fabregas has also shared some fond memories with international team-mate Gerard Pique

Messi and Luis Suarez both scored at the Vicente Calderon to give Barcelona a surprise 2-0 lead before Antoine Griezmann pulled one back for Atletico to make it interesting.

Diego Simeone's men must score at least two goals in front of a packed Nou Camp, making Barcelona favourites to qualify for their fourth successive Copa del Rey final.

However, head coach Luis Enrique is under no illusions going into the clash, calling on his Barcelona stars to forget their advantage and play to win.

Fabregas scored for Chelsea against his former club Arsenal in a 3-1 win on Saturday

'Not one [Barcelona] player on the team thinks it's over,' Enrique said.

'We're going to suffer. It will be tough game because of what they need to do. We have to play well; it would be ridiculous to think it's going to be easy. 

'We know Atletico are good enough to make it tough.'

Luis Enrique will guide Barcelona into the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on Tuesday