Lionel Messi has refused to attend Barcelona’s coronavirus test today at the club’s training ground, MySportDab reports.
The 33-year-old iconic shocked the football world by asking to leave the La Liga giants after a 16-year career.
During his Barcelona career, Messi scored over 600 goals and won 33 trophies.
Barcelona are planning to make a serious effort to keep their superstar at the Camp Nou.
However, the first-team squad are expected to return for pre-season training on Monday.
But, According to reports in Spain, Messi has refused to be involved in Barcelona’s COVID-19 testing on Sunday which players have to do before training can start on Monday.
Messi was expected to arrive at the Barcelona training ground after 10am but he failed show up at the Joan Gamper training complex.
Meanwhile, Luis Suarez came for the coronavirus tests despite being told by Ronald Koeman he is not needed at Barcelona.
Other players like Jordi Alba, Arturo Vidal and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen were seen arriving for the pre-season test.
New Coach Ronald Koeman also arrived at the Barcelona training centre as he prepares for his first season in charge.
Messi’s camp warned Barcelona that he won’t appear on Sunday in order to force his transfer to Manchester City.
MySportDab understands that the 33-year-old does not want to be in a legal dispute with Barcelona and wants to leave on good terms.
The Argentine has a clause in his Barcelona contract which allows him to leave for free after the end of every Barcelona season.
On Tuesday, Messi activated that clause believing he has the right to do so, but Barcelona claim that the clause expired on June 10th, ten days after the 2019-20 season meant be to completed.
The season’s completion date was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic which led to the suspension of all football matches in Spain.
If Barcelona won’t let Messi leave on a free transfer, then the Catalan club will hope to make his next club pay some part of his £630million release clause.
A transfer to Manchester City would see Messi reunite with former Barcelona Coach Pep Guardiola again.
More to follow….
