This archive report was first published on 15 May 2020.
La Liga is preparing to restart its season in Spain next month, with the ideal date for matches to resume set at June 12. According to La Liga president Javier Tebas, the league is working towards a return to play, with Barcelona currently sitting top of the table, two points ahead of Real Madrid.
Players in Spain have started working individually at training grounds as part of a strict and staggered programme. However, the risk of contagion remains, with five players already put into quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus.
Barcelona's Lionel Messi has spoken about the risks of returning to play, stating, 'The risk of contagion is everywhere.' He emphasized the importance of complying with protocols and taking all possible measures of prevention, adding, 'Going back to training is a first step but we shouldn’t get complacent and we must continue taking all the necessary precautions and assume we have to start playing games but behind closed doors.'
Messi also spoke about Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, whom Barcelona are reportedly keen to sign this summer. Martinez is viewed as a long-term replacement for the 33-year-old Luis Suarez. Messi described Martinez as 'an impressive striker, especially because I think he is very complete — he is strong, he dribbles well, he has an eye for goal, he knows how to protect the ball.'
