Two Barcelona players arrive for pre-season, despite being told to stay away

The Catalan giants returned for pre-season on July 4.

Barcelona duo Riqui Puig and Neto turned up for pre-season medicals on Monday, despite being instructed not to by manager Xavi. The Catalan giants, who finished second in LaLiga last campaign after a disappointing start to the season, returned for pre-season on July 4, in what will be the club's first pre-season under Xavi's management. https://twitter.com/barcacentre/status/1543851038721150976 While a host of players returned to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper for mandatory medical tests, Mundo Deportivo report that there were a few surprise faces in attendance. La Masia graduate Puig and reserve goalkeeper Neto were reportedly told not to show up this week as the club looks to sort out their futures. Xavi told the two players to return on July 11, which is the scheduled date for players who were involved in Nations League games to come back. It remains unclear if Puig and Neto were involved in Barcelona's afternoon training session

Neto and Puig have struggled for game time.

Puig, who was once regarded as a top prospect in Spain, struggled for game time under former manager Ronald Koeman after initially breaking into the first team.