Lionel Messi sent shock waves around the footballing world last week after he reportedly informed LaLiga giants Barcelona of his desire to quit the club.
Messi reportedly handed in a transfer request via a Burofax, informing the LaLiga giants his intentions to triggering the clause in his contract which allows him to leave the club at the end of every season.
However, the Barcelona hierarchy informed the Messi they had no intentions of letting him go, and even if he was to leave, his €700 million release clause must be triggered.
The La Liga giants revealed that the clause allowing him to leave for free at the end of every season expired on June 10, but Messi’s legal team argue that due to the extension of 2019/20 season because of the coronavirus pandemic, he should be allowed to leave as a free agent.
LaLiga has now come out to support Barcelona’s claim amidst the growing transfer saga.
On Sunday, 30th of August, LaLiga released a statement insisting that Messi’s walk free clause has expired and potential suitors for his signature would pay out his €700m release clause in full.
The LaLiga statement 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.”
