Barcelona: Messi reluctant to train with teammates despite decision to stay at Camp Nou

Barcelona Argentine talisman Lionel Messi. Photo: Getty

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has been reluctant to resume training with his teammates despite his decision to remain with the Catalans for another season.


Following an embarrassing 2019-20 season, the Argentine handed in a transfer request last month as he believes he can exit the club as a free agent.

Barcelona, however, revealed that the 33-year old forward will have to take them to court to fight that clause in his contract.

Messi has agreed to stay with the Spanish top flight outfit for the next season.

The playmaker who has clinched Ballon d'Or six times is yet to return to training, the Mirror says.

Ronald Koeman and his team kick off their preseason preparations without the captain as he is believed to be AWOL for a week now.

Messi is expected back next week as Barcelona will lock horns with Villarreal in their first 2020-21 season top flight encounter on September 26.