Lionel Messi’s hopes of leaving Barcelona on a free transfer has been dashed by La Liga after telling him his release clause must be paid before he can leave Nou Camp.
Messi informed Barcelona recently that he wants to leave the club by exercising a clause in his contract which permits him to go for free at the end of each season.
According to Sky, although the deadline to exercise the clause has elapsed, Messi’s lawyers hold the view that Barcelona should honour it as the season was prolonged owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
LaLiga have boosted Barcelona’s stance with that statement as the club still insist that the clause has expired, as such, Messi can only be allowed to leave if his €700m release clause is fully paid.
LaLiga’s statement read: “With regard to the different interpretations (some of which are contradictory) relating to the current contractual situation of FC Barcelona footballer Lionel Andres Messi that have been published across various media outlets in recent days, having analysed the player’s contract with the club, LaLiga would like to clarify the following.
“The contract is currently valid and contains a release clause which is applicable should Lionel Messi decide to trigger the early unilateral termination of the contract, in accordance with article 16 of Royal Decree 1006/1985 of 26 June, which regulates the special employment status that professional sportspeople have.
“In compliance with the applicable regulations and protocol that apply in such instances, LaLiga will not carry out the prior visa-release process for the player to be unregistered from the (Royal Spanish Football) Federation if the sum in the aforementioned clause has not been paid beforehand.”
