Messi makes decision on Barcelona return date as contract talks stall

Barcelona will again be without the six-time Ballon d’Or winner this week as he waits for his contract to be finalized.

Lionel Messi will not report back to Barcelona on Monday to begin pre-season training for the 2021/22 campaign.

Under normal circumstances, the 34-year-old would’ve returned to the Ciutat Esportiva for training on August 2 after taking an extended summer break due to his involvement with Argentina in the Copa America.

But only Sergio Aguero and Emerson Royal, who like Messi played in the Copa America final on July 10, have shown up.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Messi won’t attend training at Barcelona until his new contract is completed. He will stay away until the club chiefs are able to resolve everything.

📰 [MD] | The objective is for Messi to sign his new contract before the Gamper on August 8th

Optimism continues about the renewal of Leo, but FC Barcelona is clear that the Argentine will not train under culé discipline as long as he has not signed pic.twitter.com/Sc6oLOYnWF

— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) August 2, 2021

“Everything is going well as planned,” Blaugrana president Joan Laporta told reporters outside of Camp Nou last Friday. “Everything is progressing properly, everything is going well.”

As Messi has agreed on terms for a new five-year contract, Barcelona hope to get a deal signed before August 8 – which is when they’ll face Juventus in the annual Joan Gamper Trophy exhibition.

The only thing holding an announcement back is Barcelona’s ongoing financial issues. Despite Messi allegedly accepting a huge pay cut, it’s still not enough. The club need to reduce the wage bill to comply with La Liga’s salary cap. Until then, Laporta and his board cannot register any new deals.