Lionel Messi has refused to show up for a Coronavirus test at Barcelona on Sunday morning, ahead of the Spanish outfit’s pre-season training slated to resume on Monday.
Club sources have confirmed to AFP, that Messi will be not be joining the Barcelona squad for new coach Ronald Koeman’s first training session on Monday after the club had mandated taking the Cornavirus test ahead of the restart of the La Liga season.
With the new La Liga campaign scheduled to resume in barely two weeks, Ronald Koeman and a host of Barcelona stars including Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal were among players seen arriving for tests.
Messi was due to report at the Ciutat Esportiva grounds for testing at 10:15 am on Sunday, but according to sources in Barcelona, he snubbed the club’s instructions.
Messi could be punished with a fine and even a potential reduction in his salary for snubbing the tests as Barcelona may consider his decision an act of indiscipline, according to Sport.
Reporter Marcelo Bechler claims the 33-year-old already considers himself a free agent after, previously breaking the news of his desire to quit the Camp Nou.
“Messi is awaited at the Barcelona FC at the moment, but will not take the pre-season exams,” he said on Twitter.
“He does not go because he has already sent an official statement to Barcelona saying that he is no longer a player of the club, relying on the unilateral termination clause.”
Messi has his heart set on a transfer away from the La Liga giants this summer and has reportedly spoken to Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola.
PSG have also been linked with a move for the Barcelona star with reports claiming that Neymar and Angel di Maria have been in touch to convince him to move to Paris.
Lionel Messi didn’t show up for Barcelona Fc’s Coronavirus testing but we have pictures of other players that showed up.
