LIONEL MESSI is set for a surprise trip to England as part of Barcelona‘s pre-season training squad – where he will be sporting a shocking new blond haircut.
Messi has decided to return to work a week early and will link up with the likes of Luis Suarez, Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal as Luis Enrique‘s men get back to business at St George’s Park.
And he will arrive with a seriously dodgy barnet – in a similar style to Real Madrid rival James Rodriguez – after his girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo posted a snap of him posing with his bleached ‘do.
Enrique has named Messi in his 25-man squad for pre-season preparations at England’s HQ, before Barca head to Dublin for their opening International Champions Cup clash with Celtic on July 30.
And it is the second time in successive pre-seasons that Messi has cut his summer break short – after spending time chilling on a yacht with his family off Ibiza recently.
He did the same thing last season by coming back a week early to get ready for the European and Spanish Super Cup matches.
The Argentinian helped his country to the final of the Copa America before suffering the agony of a penalty shoot-out defeat to Chile.
An emotional Messi then immediately retired from internationals after missing a spot kick in the shoot-out.
He said: “For me the national team is over. I’ve done all I can, it hurts not to be a champion.
Related stories
“My thinking right now and thinking about it in the locker room, I’m done playing with the national team.
“I tried my hardest. It’s been four finals and I was not able to win.”
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero added: “Lamentably, the most f***** up is Leo because of the penalty. It’s the worst I’ve seen him in the dressing room.”
Messi then came back to Europe and a £1.7million fine for tax evasion.
It appears he is now keen to bounce back from his disappointments by getting himself fit and firing in time for Barca's Liga defence and attempts to succeed bitter rivals Real Madrid as Champions League heroes.
Messi, 29, will now have have five days' training at the £105m St George's Park complex ahead of Saturday's clash with Celtic.
Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic are still on holiday following Euro 2016, with 12 of the squad made up of academy players.
Leave a comment