Lionel Messi returns to Barcelona training after dramatic transfer U-turn; WATCH

Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi returned to training with Barcelona for first time following his dramatic fallout with Catalan giants. Messi handed in his transfer request two weeks ago but made a U-turn on his decision to leave Barcelona after club confirmed that his €700 million (£630m) release clause was still active. Lionel Messi was seen training away from main group of players, only with Philippe Coutinho, just a day after Barcelona tweeted an im of ir club captain posing in ir new third kit for 2020-21 season. 

ALSO READ: Hungary Closed To Most, Open To Fans For Soccer's Super Cup

Lionel Messi transfer news quashed as Barca captain returns to training

On Monday morning, Lionel Messi was seen arriving at  Ciutat Esportiva training ground and Barcelona took to social media to post a photo of ir captain training and working with  ball. Messi was spotted doing multiple training exercises with dummies and cones on field but spent most of his first day back at Barcelona training alone. It was Messi's first day back in training and first session under manr Ronald Koeman. Most of or Barcelona players already began ir training last week.

ALSO READ: Belgium International Mechele Tests Positive For Virus

Messi was absent from Barcelona's coronavirus testing last weekend and didn't arrive at pre-season training last week as he was under impression that he had 'already left club'. After handing in his transfer request, Messi sent shockwaves around football world and Barcelona board held an emergency meeting. However, following a stalemate in negotiations between Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and Lionel Messi's far/nt Jorge Messi, Barca captain was eventually forced to stay put at Camp u. 

ALSO READ: Popular Hollywood Film 'Goal!' Reason Behind Callum Wilson Joining Newcastle United​​​​​​d

Barcelona transfer news: Lionel Messi spills beans on failed transfer

In his interview with Goal, Messi revealed that he had, in fact, handed in a transfer request. Messi claimed that he was frustrated with ongoing chaos at Barcelona and remains "unhappy" at club. Barcelona's all-time top goalscorer also explained that Bartomeu failed to keep his end of promise which eventually forced him to stay at club.

Barcelona transfer news: Ronald Koeman plans for future

Multiple reports have claimed that Ronald Koeman has already confirmed that Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal will leave Barcelona over summer. LaLiga giants are w looking at potential replacements and are linked with moves for Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez and Lyon's Memphis Depay. It was also reported that Barcelona and Liverpool are in contact over a deal which could see Gini Wijnaldum join Barcelona over summer. 

ALSO READ: James Rodríguez Joins Everton To Revive Career In England

Im Credits - Barcelona Twitter