Lionel Messi Responds To La Liga With Official Statement

Lionel Messi has released an official statement denying that his €700 million release clause still stands.

Earlier this week La Liga sided with Barcelona when they stated Messi would only be able to leave the Blaugrana if his clause is activated.

But in a new statement that has just been published and submitted to La Liga by his father and agent Jorge on Friday afternoon, Messi is maintaining that the clause expired at the end of what was an extended 2019/20 campaign and that he should be allowed to leave for free.

La Liga produced a swift response to the document, their stance remaining the same as the Messi vs Barcelona saga rumbles on.

Messi's father Jorge met with Josep Maria Bartomeu yesterday, hours before the Barca president was then accused of corruption by the Catalan police force.

Having handed in a transfer request last week, Messi, Barcelona's captain and all-time top scorer, has not shown up for training.

This statement is the strongest indication that he wants to end his stay at the Camp Nou, and believes he is entitled to do so without any release clause.

Topics: Football News, Lionel Messi News, FC Barcelona, Football, Lionel Messi, La Liga

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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