Messi and Coutinho among 18 missing stars as Barcelona return to training

Barcelona are back in pre-season training today – but new manager Ronald Koeman is without 18 members of his squad.

Superstar Lionel Messi will miss the first day back amid his ongoing dispute with the club after he refused to attend coronavirus testing on Sunday.

Messi’s absence comes as he is on course for a legal battle with the club over his desire to exit after LaLiga released a statement insisting his £624million release clause still stands.

But he is not the only big name to miss the first day of pre-season.

Samuel Umtiti also did not arrive for coronavirus testing as planned on Sunday with the defender also now set to miss Monday’s first session.

It is claimed he was quarantining at home after testing positive for coronavirus on July 14 and arrived back in Barcelona late on Sunday via a private jet.

Philippe Coutinho is also missing after being given some time off after helping Bayern Munich win the Champions League.

The Brazilian is set to return to Barcelona after a short break where he will look to impress Koeman to revive his career or move to a new challenge elsewhere.

Will Philippe Coutinho and Lionel Messi leave Barcelona this summer? Have your say here.

New signing Miralem Pjanic is still self-isolating in Italy after testing positive for coronavirus whilst goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is recovering from knee surgery.

A further 13 players are now away on international duty, either at senior of junior level, including Antoine Griezmann, Frankie de Jong and Sergio Busquets.

Amongst those who will still be around for training are Gerard Pique, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele and Jordi Alba.

Arturo Vidal is also set to be involved – despite criticising the club as he looks set for an exit.

“The last three years are not what a team like Barcelona deserves,” Vidal told Daniel Habif’s YouTube channel.

“The best team in the world cannot have 13 professional players. You cannot always win with DNA. Messi is the best in the world, an extraterrestrial, but he needs help so that better results can be achieved.

“I have never understood placing the players with that word [transferable]. It is very ugly. If a player wants to leave or you want to sell him, find him a team but don’t say so. It is to pass it on, and each person needs respect.

“I am in a situation of being thrown away to see if someone wants to receive me.”

Full list of Barcelona players missing first day of training : Lionel Messi, Philippe Coutinho, Samuel Umtiti, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Miralem Pjanic, Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Clement Lenglet, Antoine Griezmann, Francisco Trincao, Nelson Semedo, Martin Braithwaite, Ansu Fati, Inaki Pena, Riqui Puig, Juan Miranda, Carles Alena and Pedri.