The Argentine's absence increases speculation that he is on his way away from the Spanish big club. The 33-year-old is said to have already informed Barcelona in advance that he did not intend to show up for this weekend's gathering, where the players on Sunday underwent mandatory covid-19 tests to start training on Monday for the coming season.

On Tuesday, the shocking news came that Messi demanded to leave Barcelona, ​​the club he joined as a 13-year-old.

"Barça" wants to keep their profile, which has one year left on the contract, but according to Spanish newspapers, the Argentine stands his ground. Marca wrote on Saturday that he had decided to "go to war" against the football club to force a move.

Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter have been mentioned as possible destinations.

On Sunday morning, journalists gathered outside Barcelona's training facility Ciudad Deportiva to report on which players showed up. While new coach Ronald Koeman and stars such as Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suárez all passed through the gates, Messi shone with his absence. According to reports, he would have been tested at 10.15.

Messi has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave the club at the end of each season, but according to information, the clause expired in June. However, the Argentine's lawyers claim that the clause should be extended due to the corona delayed season.

Barcelona, ​​for its part, is said to point out that the buyout clause of EUR 700 million, corresponding to around SEK 7.25 billion, applies.

The next La Liga season starts in less than two weeks.

CLIP: Nannskog about the club where Messi can end up:

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