After consulting all the available evidence thus far, a Spanish sport lawyer suggests that the club may still have a big say on Lionel Messi's future.
Lionel Messi's shock announcement that he wants to leave Barcelona looks like the opening salvo in negotiations around the fine detail of his contract and the all-important get-out clause, a Spanish sports lawyer said on Wednesday.
Barcelona in ‘stronger position’ than Messi
The 33-year-old Argentine has declared his wish to leave the club whose academy he joined at the age of 13, beginning a glittering career which has soured over the past 12 months under the management of president Josep Maria Bartomeu. Messi's lawyers have referred to a clause in the four-year contract he signed in 2017 which would have allowed him to leave the club for free, but only if he requested it by June 10. They will argue that that date - nominally the end of the season - is now irrelevant after the coronavirus delays that led to the season's extension and the team playing deep into August. The club will argue that the May date is the relevant one and so his departure now would trigger a monster 700 million euros ($827 million) release payment from any interested club.
'I think Barcelona is in a stronger position but Messi has certainly showed the weakness Barcelona might have,' sports and business lawyer Santiago Nebot, who has acted as general counsel for Spanish soccer players' union AFE, told Reuters. 'If he says to Barcelona I want to go, give me a free transfer and Barcelona says no, there is absolutely nothing he can do,' said Nebot, who has not seen Messi's contract and based his assessment on media reports.
'He is showing this weapon, saying I want to leave if you don't sit down and negotiate, I will try to use this clause, saying that it extends over time and that you could interpret it as being applicable now. 'Because of Covid, what they need to assess as well as the date is the intention of the parties,' he added. 'Why June 10? Because June 10 is 10 days after the last match or because it is 20 days before the transfer window opens on July 1?'.
Earlier on Wednesday, Barcelona's technical secretary Ramon Planes said 'our idea at the club is still to build a new winning cycle around the best player in the world...we are working internally to convince Leo'.
Nebot agreed. 'They need to negotiate so that he stays, convince him to stay this year and wait for a really good season, bring him a good team and lots of victories so that he wants to finish his career at Barcelona,' he said. 'I think that is their plan.'
tuwdmoruz
517
Barca has to make a great earning by selling him along with some young talents must be swapped in favor of Barca. Just demand Debruyne and cash too.Barca has all the rights to do so.Messi how can you be so ingratitude???Remember it was Barca who were beside you when your family was unable to continue your treatment. Barca gave you everything, they made you what you are.Do you even dare to think if you had joined any other club you would have become the same Messi. No it's not.Look at the emotions of Barca and their support towards you.They helped you in your tax problems in Spain,though it wasn't their fault,they were,they are and probably they will be with you in all the situations. They tried to give you a very good squad and nobody can deny that Barca squad is one of the best in the world.They changed the coaches and tried to bring the best among the available ones.They are still trying to build a new squad around you, what else can they do??? You wanna leave ok leave ,but let Barca take some advantages from that transfer. They deserve it.You are a legend of Barca and loved there so much that from no place on earth you can get that affection and support. So try to benefit your club who made you just you have benefited the club through your individual brilliance. Think legend .
katura
454
It's really pointless forcing a person who's not happy to stay. Let him go
forcahuman
18
Barca has to make a great earning by selling him along with some young talents must be swapped in favor of Barca. Just demand Debruyne and cash too.Barca has all the rights to do so.Messi how can you be so ingratitude???Remember it was Barca who were beside you when your family was unable to continue your treatment. Barca gave you everything, they made you what you are.Do you even dare to think if you had joined any other club you would have become the same Messi. No it's not.Look at the emotions of Barca and their support towards you.They helped you in your tax problems in Spain,though it wasn't their fault,they were,they are and probably they will be with you in all the situations. They tried to give you a very good squad and nobody can deny that Barca squad is one of the best in the world.They changed the coaches and tried to bring the best among the available ones.They are still trying to build a new squad around you, what else can they do??? You wanna leave ok leave ,but let Barca take some advantages from that transfer. They deserve it.You are a legend of Barca and loved there so much that from no place on earth you can get that affection and support. So try to benefit your club who made you just you have benefited the club through your individual brilliance. Think legend .
they were beside him just bcz of his tallent...remember barca ain't helping normal guy like us neither any club does.....besides just bcz of messi the club has earned sosososo much of 💰 and if he wannna end his contract then barca should allow him.....
SkullSwagger
10
Barca has to make a great earning by selling him along with some young talents must be swapped in favor of Barca. Just demand Debruyne and cash too.Barca has all the rights to do so.Messi how can you be so ingratitude???Remember it was Barca who were beside you when your family was unable to continue your treatment. Barca gave you everything, they made you what you are.Do you even dare to think if you had joined any other club you would have become the same Messi. No it's not.Look at the emotions of Barca and their support towards you.They helped you in your tax problems in Spain,though it wasn't their fault,they were,they are and probably they will be with you in all the situations. They tried to give you a very good squad and nobody can deny that Barca squad is one of the best in the world.They changed the coaches and tried to bring the best among the available ones.They are still trying to build a new squad around you, what else can they do??? You wanna leave ok leave ,but let Barca take some advantages from that transfer. They deserve it.You are a legend of Barca and loved there so much that from no place on earth you can get that affection and support. So try to benefit your club who made you just you have benefited the club through your individual brilliance. Think legend .
Unbelievable after all this historic mess at the club this guy thinks MESSI is not acting right! I swear these juve /Madrid fans are programmed to hate Messi no matter the situation.
fitclruz
8
that contract expired couple of months ago Go and update yourself
can't you read the article the contract expires at June 10 becoz laliga will be over by then in normal years.but COVID 19 has postponed laliga so it also extends as per Messi.