Lionel Messi
Superstar forward, Lionel Messi has confirmed he will be staying at Barcelona for the 2020/21 season despite wanting to leave the club this summer to avoid getting into any legal dispute with the club.
On August 25, 2020, Messi had notified the Catalan side of his intention to leave and intended to take advantage of a clause in his contract which he and his representatives believed allowed him to leave on a free transfer.
But the club management insisted the time for the 700-million-euro release clause in his contract to be activated had elapsed on June 10 due to the coronavirus pandemic delaying the conclusion of the 2019/20 La Liga season, and that Messi would need to pay the €700 million release clause in order for him to join another club on a free transfer.
Speaking with Goal, Messi said he was not happy and wanted to leave but would eventually remain at the club in the interim to avoid dragging his beloved club to court.
The record-breaking goalscorer said he will never enter a legal battle with Barca because it is the club he loves and the club that gave him everything.
The tone of Messi’s statement seems to suggest he would still like to leave the club, but would now do so when his contract ends next summer.
Comments