Lionel Messi arrives at Barcelona training for first time since handing in transfer request after announcing he’ll stay
LIONEL MESSI has arrived at Barcelona training for the first time since his epic summer transfer saga.
The Argentine forward was seen arriving at Ciutat Esportiva on Monday after announcing he is reluctantly staying put despite handing in a transfer request last month.
Messi arrived 90 minutes early for the session with new boss Ronald Koeman.
He underwent medical tests on Sunday to make sure he was OK to come back.
And Messi was the first Barcelona player to arrive for Monday’s behind-closed-doors session.
The forward’s return marks a sensational U-turn from his position just one week ago.
Messi demanded to leave Barcelona in the wake of the 8-2 Champions League exit to Bayern Munich, blasting the club’s hierarchy and pointing to mismanagement of teammates including close pal Luis Suarez.
He believed he still had a clause valid in his contract until the end of the season allowing him to depart Catalonia on a free transfer.
But Barcelona argued that the clause expired in July and were quickly given backing by LaLiga.
It led to Messi confirming last week that he will be staying at the club for the final year of his contract, as the only way to press on with the potential free transfer was by taking Barcelona to court.
The legendary footballer even revealed his family were in tears and hugely upset when he told them he wanted to move on, with Manchester City the favourites for his signature.
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