Lionel Messi has returned to training with Barcelona on Monday, September 7 as he begins to reintegrate with the team following his failed attempt to leave the club this summer.
The 33-year-old Argentine superstar was pictured on Monday afternoon, driving into the Ciutat Esportiva in Sant Joan Despi at just after 4:00 pm (1400 GMT) on Monday, where he is expected to take part in training for the first time under new coach Ronald Koeman.
Read Also: Lionel Messi Asks To Leave Barcelona
In his exit row, Messi had wanted to activate a clause that would allow him opt out of his contract, but Barcelona insisted the time had passed for the clause to be activated.
Barcelona added that Messi would need to pay the €700m release clause in his contract if another club wanted to sign him this summer.
Read Also: La Liga Backs Barcelona On Payment Of €700m For Messi’s Exit
Following a meeting between his father and the club, the playmaker reversed his decision and committed his future to Barcelona, saying he could never go to court against the Spanish giants to secure a move.
Read Also: Breaking: Messi To Remain At Barcelona, Gives Reason
Messi maintained he tried to go because he “wanted to live his last years of football happily” while also blaming the club’s president Joseph Maria Bartomeu for “breaking his word” and forcing him to stay.
The return of Barcelona’s embitterred 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.
If Messi passes his coronavirus test and rejoins training without problems, he could feature in Barcelona’s friendly against Gimnastic Tarragona on Saturday.
Read Also: Messi Absent As Barcelona Players Undergo COVID-19 Tests
It would be the first time Messi has played for the team since their historic 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in last month’s Champions League quarter-finals.
