Having made his decision to leave Barcelona earlier this week, it appears that Lionel Messi's departure from the Nou Camp will become more complicated after La Liga insisted that the Argentinian's buyout clause still stands.
In a statement that was made this afternoon, La Liga has sided with Barcelona in their ongoing contract dispute with wantaway captain Messi.
"In compliance with the applicable regulations, and following the corresponding procedure in these cases, La Liga will not carry out the prior visa process for the player to be removed from the federation if they have not previously paid the amount of said clause," their statement read.
On Tuesday, the Argentinian told Barcelona's executives that he wants to leave the Nou Camp. It's Messi's belief that he has a clause in his contract that would allow him to walk away for free.
Watch Simon Kuper's excellent take on Lionel Messi's situation at Barcelona here:
However, the club disputes that claim, with reports suggesting the clause expired earlier in the summer. The uncertainty stems from the extension of the La Liga season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
La Liga have now stated that they would only recognise Messi's exit if his release clause - believed to be in the region of €700m – is paid.
Messi did not arrive for his scheduled COVID-19 test with the club on Sunday morning.
This means that he will not be able to join up with his team-mates for pre-season training on Monday as new Barca boss Ronald Koeman looks to work with his squad for the first time.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville believes that Messi will stay at the Nou Camp.
“I think it’s politics and power struggle,” the ex-England defender told Sky Sports. “Messi is flexing his muscles. It’s probably a bit more than that, but I think that is where it will end up in the end.
“The idea that Barcelona will lose this player and he doesn’t finish his career there seems unbelievable to me. Does he really want to leave? Maybe. But when push comes to shove and he’s got to meet with the president, the board and everyone else standing in his way, I think he will end up staying.
Following his decision to leave the Nou Camp, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner has been linked with moves to Manchester City, PSG, and Manchester United.
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