Lionel Messi boycotted Barcelona's first pre-season training session on Monday, club sources have confirmed to AFP, as the striker upped the stakes in his battle to leave this summer.

Messi misses first pre-season training session as Barcelona stand-off continues

With Lionel Messi making his stance clear that he wants to leave Barcelona after spending nearly two decades with the Catalan club, Manchester City have been touted as favourites to sign the Argentine megastar.

'FIFA ban' looming for Lionel Messi? Argentine's contract situation decoded

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messi vs-barcelona

Messi misses first pre-season training session as Barcelona stand-off continues

'FIFA ban' looming for Lionel Messi? Argentine's contract situation decoded