This archive report was first published on 9 May 2020.
La Liga champions Barcelona returned to training on May 8, 2020, marking a significant step towards a potential restart to football in Spain. The team's players, including Lionel Messi, arrived at the Joan Gamper training centre for individual sessions, adhering to strict health protocols.
As part of their training, the players were subjected to medical tests to evaluate the effects of two months of coronavirus quarantine on their bodies. The tests aimed to assess their physical condition and readiness for a return to competitive football.
Barcelona's return to training was in line with the government's plan to end quarantine for professional players. The plan, announced last week, aims to facilitate a return to action in June, completing the 2019-20 season behind closed doors.
La Liga's four-phase de-escalation programme will allow for a gradual return to training, starting with individual sessions, followed by small group training, and eventually larger team sessions. The programme's final phase, scheduled for early June, will permit outside events with fewer than 400 attendees.
League president Javier Tebas has emphasized the importance of completing the season, citing the significant economic fallout that would result from cancellation. He estimated that clubs would incur losses of around a billion euros ($1.08 billion) if the season were to be abandoned.
Other teams, including Sevilla, Villarreal, Osasuna, and Leganes, have also resumed training. Real Madrid, however, will likely start their training sessions on Monday, pending the results of virus tests carried out on their players.
Real Madrid's return to training will be delayed due to a positive test for a member of their basketball team, which led to a two-month quarantine. The team's coach, Zinedine Zidane, will have to manage without Serb attacker Luka Jovic, who has suffered a fracture to his right heel.
