Barcelona Get La Liga Support In Messi Contract Dispute

Messi and Barcelona are currently embroiled in a bitter divorce battle after the six-time Ballon d’Or winner made clear his intentions of leaving the Camp Nou after two decades of service.

On Sunday, Messi failed to report for Barcelona’s pre-season medical tests, meaning he will be unavailable for new manager Ronald Koeman’s first training session on Monday.

Messi’s current contract expires in the summer of 2021 but he and his entourage believe there is a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for free at the end of each season.

That clause expired on June 10 but Messi is adamant the coronavirus pandemic extended the season into August and as such the clause should be extended to cover the end of the season.

The Barcelona hierarchy stand by the June 10 expiration date and any club prepared to take away their prized asset will have to pay a fee.

A LaLiga statement on Sunday read: "With regard to the different interpretations (some of which are contradictory) relating to the current contractual situation of FC Barcelona footballer Lionel Andres Messi that have been published across various media outlets in recent days, having analysed the player's contract with the club, LaLiga would like to clarify the following.

"The contract is currently valid and contains a release clause which is applicable should Lionel Messi decide to trigger the early unilateral termination of the contract, in accordance with article 16 of Royal Decree 1006/1985 of 26 June, which regulates the special employment status that professional sportspeople have.

"In compliance with the applicable regulations and protocol that apply in such instances, LaLiga will not carry out the prior visa-release process for the player to be unregistered from the (Royal Spanish Football) Federation if the sum in the aforementioned clause has not been paid beforehand."