'Barcelona is in a stronger position than Messi' warns sports lawyer

Lionel Messi may be powerless to force an exit from Barcelona this summer, says a Spanish sports lawyer, based on the latest media reports.

After two decades in the famous blue and maroon jersey of Barcelona, Messi has supposedly informed the club of plans to leave before the end of the summer transfer window.

The 33-year-old plans to exploit a clause in his current contract that should make him a free agent following the conclusion of the 2019/20 campaign.

While Barcelona have reportedly stated that that option expired on June 10, Messi and his legal team argue otherwise. They believe the coronavirus enforced break forcing the season to end in August means he has until the end of the month to activate his clause.

Should Messi fail to have his way, however, he’ll either have to wait until next year to leave as a free agent once his contract expires or hope a suitable club pays his €700m release clause.

Barcelona protestors charged the club grounds in protest of Lionel Messi leaving last night 😳 pic.twitter.com/zwjkfeWnwG

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 27, 2020

Now Spanish sports and business lawyer Santiago Nebot, who hasn’t seen Messi’s contract himself, has weighed in his views based on the latest reports coming out in Spain.

“I think Barcelona is in a stronger position but Messi has certainly shown the weakness Barcelona might have,” Nebot told Reuters.

“If he says to Barcelona I want to go, give me a free transfer and Barcelona says no, there is absolutely nothing he can do.

“He is showing this weapon, saying I want to leave if you don’t sit down and negotiate, I will try to use this clause, saying that it extends over time and that you could interpret it as being applicable now.

“Because of COVID, what they need to assess as well as the date is the intention of the parties,’ he added. ‘Why June 10? Because June 10 is 10 days after the last match or because it is 20 days before the transfer window opens on July 1?”

Technical secretary Ramon Planes, who recently replaced the ousted Eric Abidal, maintained Barcelona have no wish to sell Messi as they wish to build another winning team around him.

Planes added that the club chiefs are ‘working internally’ to convince ‘the best player in the world’ to stay.

On these comments, Nebot said: “They need to negotiate so that he stays, convince him to stay this year and wait for a really good season, bring him a good team and lots of victories so that he wants to finish his career at Barcelona,”

“I think that is their plan.”