Players return to Spanish clubs’ training grounds for first time since lockdown
Footballers in Spain returned to their team’s training grounds yesterday for the first time since the country entered alockdownnearlytwomonths ago because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Players from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and other clubs started preparing for the return to training this week. They were all expected to be tested for Covid-19 and should be cleared to practise once the results are back. Most clubs are expected to resume training by the end of the week.
The majority of players did not wear masks or gloves when they arrived, according to Spanish media. Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez were among those seen without masks when they drove into Barcelona’s training centre. Antoine Griezmann, Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic did wear masks. Sergi Roberto arrived without a mask but had one on when he left.
Real Madrid players Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema arrived without masks, as did most of their team-mates.
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid later released videos showing the players with gloves and masks inside their training centres.
Atletico Madrid had already posted some photos of their players arriving for tests wearing gloves and masks.
Atletico striker Alvaro Morata said it wasn’t the same to be at the training ground without being able to interact with his team-mates, but it felt “special” just to be there at this point.
Atletico midfielder Marcos Llorente said the club had been sending drills adapted to each player so they could keep training at home.
“I think we are very prepared to come back,” Llorente said. “It has been a very rare period for us. We had never been away from a ball for so long. We are excited about coming back.”
La Liga clubs will be expected to test all players daily after they start training.
Players will initially practise individually. Smaller group and full squad sessions will be allowed in upcoming weeks. The league hopes to resume sometime in June with games without fans.