Lionel Messi triggers billion dollar release clause to exit Barcelona
Lionel Messi has delivered his verdict to Barcelona on whether one of the most iconic unions in football history will go another season.
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Lionel Messi has informed Barcelona that he wants to “unilaterally” terminate his contract with the Spanish giants, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.
Lawyers for the Argentina star sent Barca a fax in which they announced Messi’s desire to rescind his contract by triggering a release clause.
If Messi leaves, a reunion with former Barca coach Pep Guardiola at Manchester City is seen as his most likely move.
However, the club maintains the clause expired in June and he remains under contract until the end of the 2021 season.
“In principal, this clause expired on June 10, but the unusual nature of this season disrupted by the coronavirus opened the way for Messi to ask to be released from his contract now,” wrote Spanish sports daily Marca.
“It’s the first step towards opening negotiations over his departure, on the basis of which his release clause amounts to $1.15 billion (AUD).”
Messi has won a record six Ballon d’Or awards during his time at Barcelona as the top player in the world, and has helped the club win 10 Spanish league titles and four Champions Leagues.
According to Spanish media, Messi met with new Barca coach Ronald Koeman last week and told the Dutchman he saw himself “more out than in” the club.
“The end of the glorious era of Leo Messi at Barcelona seems to be close. After the arrival of Ronald Koeman, what looks like the exit of his friend Luis Suarez and a difficult and turbulent end to the season, Messi told Barcelona in a fax of his intention to leave the club,” said Once radio station.
Barcelona suffered a humiliating 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals in Lisbon earlier this month, resulting in the dismissal of coach Quique Setien after barely six months in charge.
New manager Koeman, who last coached the Dutch national team, was hopeful of keeping Messi. “I don’t know if I have to convince Messi (to stay). Of course he is the best player in the world and you want the best player in the world in your team - you don’t want him playing against you,” he said.
“For me as a coach, I would love to work with Messi because he wins matches. If he is at the ability and the level he has always shown, I would be more than happy for him to stay.
“He’s still got a contract and he is still a Barcelona player. There are some older players in the team and we need to make some decisions but in Messi’s case, I hope that he stays with us.”
Former Barcelona defender Carles Puyol responded to the news by tweeting: “Respect and admiration, Leo. All my support, friend.”
MANCHESTER CITY BEST OPTION
Spanish football journalist Alvaro Montero told Sky Sports the superstar should head to Manchester City.
“Manchester City is the best option because of the money, because of the Premier League and because of Pep Guardiola. Put everything together and it is a good situation for Lionel Messi,” he said.
“This evening in Spain, on a television programme, they said that Manchester United could be an option. Many people in Italy are saying that Inter could be an option. I don’t think so because there is a difference in the financial situation of the Premier League and Italy, France, Spain or Germany.
“Of course, the Premier League is also maybe the best league in the world so I think Premier League plus Manchester City plus Pep Guardiola is a good cocktail altogether.
“We know the union of Pep Guardiola and Messi at Barcelona eight or nine years ago was amazing. Maybe the best team in the world ever. I would say there is a huge possibility of Manchester City and I would say they are the first ones in this race.”
— with AFP
Originally published as Lionel Messi triggers billion dollar release clause to exit Barcelona