MX23RW : Tuesday, November 26 07:07:41| >> :120:36501:36501:

Lionel Messi to boycott Barcelona's first day back?

Lionel Messi to boycott Barcelona's first day back?
© Reuters
Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi will reportedly boycott the club's first training session back as he attempts to force a move to Manchester City.

Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi is reportedly set to boycott the club's first training session back as he seeks a move away from Camp Nou.

The Argentine superstar has handed in a transfer request to the Catalan giants and has naturally been linked with a host of top European sides in recent days.

However, while Messi supposedly believes that he is now a free agent, Barca have affirmed that the six-time Ballon d'Or winner is still under contract until 2021 with a €700m (£624.3m) release clause.

In order to force a move away from Barcelona amid the unrest behind the scenes, Catalan radio station RAC1 claims that Messi is refusing to attend Sunday's scheduled coronavirus testing.

Manchester City are understood to be leading the race for the forward's signature, with reports suggesting that Pep Guardiola is set to meet with Messi face-to-face after landing in Barcelona.

Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are also believed to be in the running to land the prolific Argentine, who has amassed 634 goals in 731 games for Barcelona across all competitions.

ID:412220: cacheID:412220:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2367:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured in August 2020
Read Next:
Pep Guardiola 'in Barcelona amid Lionel Messi speculation'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!