Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is still yet to turn up for training despite his reluctant decision to stay at the club.

The 33-year-old handed in a transfer request last month following a turbulent campaign for the Spanish giants and believed that he was able to leave on a free transfer.

However, after Barcelona made it clear that he would have to take them to court in order to challenge that clause in his contract, Messi agreed to stay at Camp Nou for at least another season.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner was heavily critical of club president Josep Maria Bartomeu during the interview in which he revealed that he was staying, and The Mirror reports that he is yet to return to training.

Messi has been AWOL for almost a week now as Ronald Koeman's side begin their pre-season preparations without their captain.

The Argentine is expected back into the fold next week, though, with Barcelona's first game of the season coming against Villarreal on September 26.