Barcelona striker David Villa has received 1,000 paper cranes as he steps up his recovery from a broken leg.

The Spanish international was given the gift, designed to help healing, by the club's supporters' group in Japan.

"All of these things give me strength to keep on going and continue with my recovery," Villa told the club's official website. "I will keep these with a lot of affection. I am sure that they will give me good luck and I will be able to return stronger.

"Even though I was injured in Japan, I have great memories. We won a very important title for the club and for me, it was the most important title that I had yet to win.

"I want to thank them for all the time they spent doing this for me."

Villa sustained the injury in the Club World Cup semi-final against Al Sadd in Japan last December.