As expected, Lionel Messi did not make an appearance in Ronald Koeman’s first training session as Barça coach. The Argentine footballer does not give in to his position and acts as if he were no longer a Barça footballer, although the club reminds him that the contract is still valid. Messi also did not take the PCR tests this Sunday, as required by the protocol of the league, which is why today he could not have trained with his teammates, but alone.
And all in all the week that Jorge Messi, the player’s father and representative, will return to Barcelona, where he could finally meet with Josep Maria Bartomeu on Wednesday. Both sides remain rocked. But it would be a first step to avoid the worst ending to what was one of the most beautiful stories. Bartomeu, for now, says he would only agree to meet with Messi if it is to extend the contract until 2023. Messi instead, who took advantage of a clause that would allow him to break the contract at the end of the season, wants to agree a friendly exit to avoid ending up in court, as the club considers the clause no longer applicable.
Koeman’s first day
Koeman, meanwhile, is starting work without Messi or an Ivan Rakitic who will soon return to Sevilla. Other players who do not enter the coach’s plans, such as Suárez and Vidal, have made an appearance in the sports city. Coutinho, with permission to continue on vacation, has not worked. This Monday’s session was with 19 players: Piqué, Suárez, O. Dembélé, Neto, Jordi Alba, S. Roberto, Vidal, Junior, Rafinha, O. Busquets, Matheus F., M. Wague, R. Araujo , Akieme, J. Cuenca, Konrad, Ilaix Moriba, Monchu and Arnau Tenas. The footballers have trained separately in two fields, the Tito Vilanova field and the field 2 of the Joan Gamper Sports City. Ivan Rakitic has not trained with the permission of the Club, as he will soon return to Sevilla.
.
