Lionel Messi from FC Barcelona face consequences

In the conflict between world footballer Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona is moving: The Argentine’s father and manager, Jorge Messi, boarded a private plane to Spain on Tuesday after a stay of several days in his hometown of Rosario, reported the Argentine sports broadcaster “TyC Sports” . This Wednesday he will meet with club president Josep Bartomeu, as the Spanish newspaper “Mundo Deportivo” reported. It is unknown whether Lionel Messi himself will be there. The superstar has been publicly silent since the 2: 8 debacle against FC Bayern in the quarter-finals of the Champions League two and a half weeks ago.

The 33-year-old also stayed away from the Catalans’ second training session on Tuesday in preparation for the new season. The new coach Ronald Koeman led the second session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training center in Barcelona with the same 19 players who took part in the first training session on Monday evening, the club said.

Clause over 700 million euros

Since Messi had skipped the mandatory corona tests before the first two training sessions on Sunday, the 33-year-old could now be accused by his employer of a “serious breach of contract” after the third unexcused absence, several Spanish media reported unanimously. According to Spanish labor law, Messi, who has already informed the club of his intention to change, could be punished with 25 percent of his monthly salary – it would be a high million.

The conflict escalated on Sunday. The league organizers announced that Messi would not be allowed to go on a free transfer against his will. In the professional’s contract, which is valid until the end of June 2021, a replacement clause is anchored, which is still valid. LaLiga does not name the sum, but according to media reports it amounts to 700 million euros. The club insist that the club that wants to sign Messi pay that amount. Negotiations excluded, so the FC Barcelona.

The dispute therefore threatens to land in court. It is unclear what proposals Jorge Messi (62) will make. Someone who knows Messi very well gives the team and fans little hope. Compatriot Jorge Valdano, 1986 world champion and now commentator for Spanish media, says Barça have no chance of keeping the six-time world footballer. “Messi has already left Barcelona. Either he is allowed to go to another club or he goes home, I’m sure of that, ”said Valdano in an interview with the radio station“ Onda Cero ”.

In addition to Messi, the professionals who will be playing for various national teams in the next few days were also missing on Monday and Tuesday. The German national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen was not there either, as he has to take a longer break after his knee operation.

Toni Kroos comments

Toni Kroos sees the possible departure of superstar Messi from FC Barcelona as an advantage for his club Real Madrid. “If someone like that no longer plays for a competitor, then you can imagine that we don’t necessarily find that bad,” said the national soccer player in an interview with his brother Felix Kroos in the latest edition of the podcast “Einfach mal Luppen” (Wednesday ). “Messi away from Barcelona means: Barcelona lack an absolute weapon.”

The Spanish record champions Real and FC Barcelona have been rivals in the Spanish Primera Divisón for decades. “I think he won’t come to Real just to categorically rule that out,” said Toni Kroos jokingly. His tip is that the 33-year-old Messi moves to England to Manchester City and thus to his former coach Pep Guardiola.

2014 World Champion Toni Kroos described Messi as “one of the best players of all time”. In his opinion, the best of all is his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. With the current Juventus striker, Kroos had won the Champions League three times at Real.