sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Lionel Messi 'Set To Refuse To Attend Barcelona Training' Amid Manchester City Interest

Lionel Messi 'Set To Refuse To Attend Barcelona Training' Amid Manchester City Interest

Messi no longer considers himself a Barcelona player.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Lionel Messi will NOT turn up for training today with the wantaway forward no longer considering himself a Barcelona player.

Messi, 33, has told Barcelona he wants to leave the club after nearly two decades with the Catalan giants.

He failed to turn up for the COVID-19 testing at Barcelona's training complex on Sunday with the superstar player now due to miss training amid interest from Manchester City.

If Messi does indeed refuse to train, he could be fined up to €1 million.

Spanish publication SPORT claim he could serve huge sanctions for failing to attend without a "just cause."

The Argentine could be suspended without pay for between two and 10 days or even fined seven per cent of his monthly salary.

Man City, meanwhile, are reportedly in pole position to sign the six-time Ballon d'Or winner with Pep Guardiola flying out to Barcelona to strike a deal.

But there remains confusion over Messi's reported €700 million release clause.

Messi's lawyers were adamant he could activate a clause in his contract to leave the club on a free, as it was believed a release clause didn't exist in the final year of his contract.

Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA

However, La Liga say the clause is still valid.

"In relation to the different interpretations (some of them contradictory to each other) published in recent days in different media, related to the contractual situation of the player Lionel Andrés Messi with FC Barcelona, La Liga wishes to clarify that with regards to the player's contract with his club," the statement reads.

"The contract is currently in force and has a 'termination clause' applicable to the event that Lionel Andrés Messi decides to activate the early unilateral termination of the contract, carried out in accordance with article 16 of Royal Decree 1006/1985, of June 26, which regulates the special employment relationship of professional athletes.

"In compliance with the applicable regulations, and following the corresponding procedure in these cases, LaLiga will not carry out the prior visa process for the player to be removed from the federation if they have not previously paid the amount of said clause."

Featured Image Credit: PA/PA

Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Transfer news