By Alao Abiodun

Captain Lionel Messi made good his threat not to appear on Sunday for the mandatory COVID-19 tests for Barcelona players ahead of preparation for pre-season activities.

Messi had informed the club he wants to move away from the Spanish giants, which he joined from childhood.

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While other players attended the Ciutat Esportiva training ground for the test, Messi was conspicuously missing.

He was scheduled to appear 10:12am but was nowhere to be seen, fuelling speculation he was going to leave the club.

While Messi insists he is a free agent, the club argued he has an existing contract and can only leave upon payment of his $700m release clause.