Audio By Carbonatix
Lionel Messi made his first appearance for Barcelona since his failed attempt to leave the club, playing in their friendly with Gimnastic de Tarragona.
The 33-year-old Argentine submitted a transfer request in August but decided to stay last week because no club would be able to afford his release clause.
Messi started in the 3-1 win over third-tier Nastic after the club confirmed he would remain as captain.
He was replaced along with the other starters at half-time.
Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring with Antoine Griezmann and Phillipe Coutinho netting penalties.
Messi, Barcelona's all-time leading goalscorer, believed he had a clause in his contract which would allow him to leave for free and did not begin pre-season training.
Barcelona and La Liga insisted that clause was no longer valid - with any club wishing to buy him required to pay a release clause of 700m euros (ÂŁ624m) - and Messi returned to training after saying he would not take the club to court.
Barca's season starts on Sunday, 27 September with a home game against Villarreal in La Liga.
Latest Stories
-
Mahama’s STEM push aims to build curious, creative students – Haruna Iddrisu
7 seconds -
Swimming stakeholders call for legitimate governance and constitutional elections in Ghana Swimming
12 minutes -
Akatsi Police seize suspected cannabis consignment, driver escapes
14 minutes -
EU investment in Ghana reaches $16bn – GIPC’s Boss
47 minutes -
GPSCP II and TCDA partner to boost regulation and investment in tree crops sector
56 minutes -
Ghana, Ethiopia business ties ripe for expansion – GIPC
1 hour -
Ghana-Russia Center signs landmark cooperation agreements at KazanForum 2026
1 hour -
Sankofa Gold Mine, Guangzhou Hozdo partnership signals revival push as Ghana’s Western mining sector heats up
1 hour -
From Snapchat Stories to Snapchat Headquarters: Chef Abbys is taking Ghana to the world one plate at a time
2 hours -
Photos: Vice President commissions 100 new Metro Mass Transit buses
2 hours -
GNFS rescues seven trapped in crash at Peki-Tsiame
2 hours -
GNFS rescues trapped driver after cargo truck overturns at Fante New Town
2 hours -
Photos from JoyNews National Dialogue on youth and climate change
2 hours -
Woman accused of threatening President Mahama granted GH¢1 million bail
2 hours -
One dead, 4 injured in articulated truck collision at Assin Nsuta
2 hours