Jorge Messi, on behalf of his son has today stated that he does not know what contract La Liga analysed when they made their own statement saying his €700m release clause still stands. Messi says the clause is not active when the contract was terminated by the player at the end of the 2019/20 season. The statement says La Liga have made an ‘obvious error’ and it is also obvious the release clause does not apply.
Few days ago, Lionel Messi gave the clearest indication that he is no longer considering himself a part of Barcelona squad.
To further underscore that the player is nearer the exit door and not doing the opposite, Messi’s father and his key representative Jorge arrived Barcelona to meet with the Barcelona hierarchy, including president Josep Maria Bartomeu, on Wednesday to discuss his son’s future.
Last week,the Argentine, after playing for the Spanish team for almost 20 years, informed them he wants to leave.
In the meantime, La Liga further dashed Messi’s hopes for an easy departure from Barcelona on a free transfer by stating his release clause will have to be paid if he is to leave the Nou Camp. The 33-year-old has since requested a meeting with senior figures at the club to resolve the impasse over his transfer request.
The impasse is related to his buyout clause of €700m. He has been tipped to move to Manchester City, where he could link up with his former manager Pep Guardiola.
A move to the Etihad Stadium would also enable him re-establish contact with national team colleagues such as Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi.
While the arguments continue, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan have since expressed interest as they are preparing offers for the player widely considered to be one of the best footballers of all time.
The 10-time La Liga winner and four-time Champions League winner has asked to activate his release clause that would end his contract, which is due to expire in June 2021, and permit him to leave for free this summer.
Barcelona have openly expressed that the clause in his contract has since expired. Messi’s lawyers on the other hand have argued that – in the spirit of the deal and good faith – the clause is still active after the rescheduled Champions League final on August 23, which was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Since joining the club in the 2003/04 campaign, Messi has played 731 games for Barcelona, scoring 634 times in all competitions.
