Lionel Messi will travel to Argentina for training ahead of the Copa America before returning to Spain to testify at his trial over alleged tax fraud.
The Barcelona star is due in court on June 2nd, just days before the Albiceleste’s tournament opener against Chile.
But Messi, 27, won’t be missing the team’s pre-tournament get-together and Argentina boss Gerardo Martino confirmed his attendance for the training camp at their Ezeiza base, outside Buenos Aires, straight after Barca’s Copa del Rey final on May 22nd.
“He is going to come with us that week,” said Martino, “then he’ll return to Spain to testify.”
“It will be good to have him with the group.”
The date in court, as well as possible heavy fines or even an unlikely custodial sentence, has added some long-haul travel to Messi’s schedule.
After flying from Spain to Argentina and then back to Spain, the reigning Ballon d’Or will then have to fly all the way to the west coast of the USA, to Santa Clara, for his side’s tournament opener against Chile.
It will be an opportunity for revenge after the Chileans defeated Argentina in a penalty shoot-out to win last summer’s Copa America final.
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