Messi back at Barca ground, trains alone

Madrid, Sept. 7: Lionel Messi returned to Barcelona training for the first time on Monday since his failed attempt to leave the club this summer.

Barca confirmed Messi has started by training alone, in line with La Liga protocol.

“The 2020/2021 preseason is under way for Leo Messi,” the statement read.

“The Barca number 10 trained on his own, as did (Philippe) Coutinho, according to La Liga protocol whilst the rest of the squad worked out together,” the statement added.

The Argentinian superstar said on Friday in his explosive interview with Goal that he would continue to give his best for Barca, despite admitting defeat in his bid to depart for free.

The 33-year-old maintained he tried to go because he “wanted to live his last years of football happily” while also blaming the club’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu for “breaking his word” and forcing him to stay.

The return of Barcelona’s embittered captain and greatest ever player may not be an easy one, particularly given some of his closest team-mates are likely to be absent. Luis Suarez, Messi’s best friend and neighbour, as well as Arturo Vidal, are expected to join Juventus and Inter Milan respectively. “Now I don't know what will happen,” Messi said on Friday.

Messi’s decision to notify the club via burofax that he intended to leave came after he met with coach Ronald Koeman, talks that reportedly involved Dutchman taking a hard line with his top striker.

Koeman said in his first press conference that he “only wanted players who want to be here and to give everything”. —