Barca Rumpus Continues As Messi Shuns Training

By Ella Makondo and Agency Reports

The controversy over Lionel Messi’s future in Barcelona continued on Wednesday after the footballer shunned training for the day.

Barcelona’s newly-appointed sporting director Ramon Planes, however, said that the footballer had previously excused himself from the training scheduled for Wednesday.

Messi had asked Barca Tuesday to leave the club he has been with for 20 seasons, since he was 13 years old.

“Messi informed us that he was not going to show up to training,” Planes said during the official unveiling of Portuguese striker Joao Trincao.

“But all exchanges will remain between the two parties (the club and the player) and out of respect we will not communicate on what is said because we are putting all our efforts in this dialogue.”

Messi, Planes said was “important news. But what we think, and we’ve said it many times, is that we see Messi as a Barca player”.

“Today Trincao arrives and we hope he will triumph alongside Messi.”

Planes added: “Barca has rebuilt itself several times in its history, and it has always come back more powerful. Our idea is to do it once again, around the best player in the world.

“You have to have enormous respect for what Messi is and for his history.

“We’re not thinking about any clause in his contract. Messi’s marriage to Barca has brought a lot to both (the club and the player), a lot of joy to the supporters and, internally, we are working to convince Messi to find the best solution for Barca and for Messi.”

Planes added that there was “not an argument between Messi and Barca — neither deserves it”.

“We are working to make Barca a winner. There is no division within the club over Leo. Anyone who knows football wants him to stay here to win again. He’s a winner.”

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