Barca, Real, and Atletico players conduct virus testing
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FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi arrives at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper for virus testing in Barcelona, Spain, May 6, 2020. /VCG

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi arrives at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper for virus testing in Barcelona, Spain, May 6, 2020. /VCG

Players at Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid underwent coronavirus tests on Wednesday as La Liga clubs plan to return to restricted training ahead of the proposed resumption of the season next month. 

Barca captain Lionel Messi and France international Antoine Griezmann were among the players pictured arriving one by one in their cars at the club's training center. 

Players at Madrid, including Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema, also underwent health checks at Real's training base on the outskirts of the city. 

FC Barcelona's Luis Suarez arrives at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper for virus testing in Barcelona, Spain, May 6, 2020. /VCG

FC Barcelona's Luis Suarez arrives at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper for virus testing in Barcelona, Spain, May 6, 2020. /VCG

Results from the coronavirus tests are typically known within 48 hours. The testing is part of the league's strict medical protocol with which teams must comply before a return to training. 

"It's been a very strange time for us. We've never gone as long without touching a ball and we are eager for it all to restart," said Atletico midfielder Marcos Llorente. 

"Each week they sent us training programs adjusted a bit to each player and I think we are ready to return." 

The first of a four-phase de-escalation program announced by the Spanish government last week would allow players to initially train alone, with a maximum of six players allowed on the pitch. 

Players will be expected to arrive on club premises already in their kit and wear a mask and gloves when not training. After each session they will be given a bag with clothes for the next day. 

Ferland Mendy of Real Madrid (L) and Emerson of Real Betis Sevilla (R) during the La Liga match in Sevilla Spain, March 8, 2020. /VCG

Ferland Mendy of Real Madrid (L) and Emerson of Real Betis Sevilla (R) during the La Liga match in Sevilla Spain, March 8, 2020. /VCG

La Liga's program will then permit training in small groups before a return to larger team sessions. 

In the fourth and final phase, scheduled for early June, the government have said outside events can go ahead when attended by fewer than 400 people. 

La Liga is proposing to complete its season behind closed doors, with games re-starting in mid-June. 

"People's health is paramount, so we have a comprehensive protocol to safeguard the health of everyone involved as we work to restart La Liga," league president Javier Tebas said earlier. 

He also said "it is not an option" to cancel the season given the economic fallout, estimating it would cost clubs around a billion Euros. 

Source(s): AFP