Young Barcelona fans left devastated after Messi no-show

Barcelona fans across the world were left saddened by the news Lionel Messi hadn't turned up for PCR testing on Sunday.

None were more devastated than the children who were waiting outside Barcelona's training ground kitted out in Messi shirts.

As the youngsters waited outside the Sant Joan Despi complex, they saw Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, among others, all arrive for testing - but not Messi.

The captain stayed away as part of his ongoing dispute with the club after handing in a transfer request on Tuesday.

The influence Messi has on Barcelona supporters is clearly massive and his departure would leave a wound that will take time to heal.