Lionel Messi is currently not allowed to train with Barcelona due to the six-time Ballon d'Or winner not yet signing a new contract with the club.
Messi, despite being Barcelona captain and all-time record goalscorer, is still a free agent after his deal at the Nou Camp expired on June 30.
He is still widely expected to put pen to paper on a new contract, which will see Messi take a hefty pay cut due to Barca's dire financial situation.
However, AS say Messi will not be training with the club until he signs a new deal. The 34-year-old went on holiday to Miami after winning the Copa America, his first ever international trophy with Argentina.
He was scheduled to return to the Ciutat Esportiva for training on Monday but is currently in Ibiza with former Blaugrana teammates Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas and their families.
Barca have pre-season friendlies against Red Bull Salzburg and Juventus this week, before their La Liga campaign gets under way against Real Sociedad on 15 August.
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Barca president Joan Laporta continues to say express confidence in Messi signing a new contract, though it's certainly a less than ideal scenario for Ronald Koeman's side.
It has even been reported recently that Messi may be blocked from playing for Barca until January as a result of their financial woes.
The Copa Del Rey holders still need to make significant reductions to their wage bill and have asked a whole host of big earners to take a salary cut.
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If they do not comply with the spending rules that La Liga chief Javier Tebas is refusing to relax, they risk not having Messi available for selection until the start of 2022.
The same would apply to new signings Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Emerson Royal.
In 2014, Getafe midfielder Pedro Leon was unable to play for the first few months of the season after the club exceeded a €17 million salary cap.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Argentina, Copa America, La Liga