Leo Messi has broken the silence through a statement. He does not speak and he continues without going to train with Ronald Koeman. But this statement is not to respond to Barça but to replicate the statement issued by LaLiga (LFP) last week in which it announced that he could not leave Barça if it were not for the execution of the termination clause of 700 million euros, as published today by El Periódico de Catalunya, the same publishing group of Diari de Girona. The star, who has missed the fourth day of work with the new coach, claims that can cling to an exit clause, despite Barça claiming that it expired on 10 June.
The statement, signed by the player’s father, Jorge Messi, criticizes the “obvious bias” of LaLiga and highlights that the footballer it is not subject to any termination clause. The statement consists of two points:
1st We do not know which contract they have analyzed and what are the bases on which they conclude that it has a “termination clause” applicable in case the player decides to urge the unilateral termination of this, with effect from the end of the 2019/20 sports season.
2nd This is due to an obvious error on your part. Thus, as literally stated in clause 8.2.3.6. of the contract signed between the club and the player:
“This compensation will not be applied when the termination of the contract by unilateral decision of the player takes effect from the end of the 2019-2020 sports season,” adds the text signed by the Argentine’s parent.
“Fraud of law”
So Messi has not opened his mouth, but delegates to his father and representative the first statement, burofax on the sidelines, the one in which he expressed his desire to leave the Camp Nou this summer. The president has not opened his mouth either, Josep Maria Bartomeu. But the star has decided, following the advice of his legal advisers, to respond to the body chaired by Javier Tebas, the same leader who in his time as sports adviser of the Alabès (2005) wanted to ban the premiere of the Argentine with the first team alleging “a fraud of law” in his record.
Messi maintains the idea of leaving this summer, despite the meetings that Jorge, his father and agent, had with Bartomeu. Barça do not want to sell it. And much less give it away, while the player emphasizes that this clause of the contract, which was signed in November 2017, allows him to leave freely. A different interpretation is made by the Messi, who are already considered free to choose their destination.
With this step, the first to officially give, beyond the father’s monosyllables captured by journalists, either at the airport or at the door of his office, the captain charts a new path. Feeling, at all times, a former Barça player, because he has not been to the sports city for a single day. He has not even explained to his colleagues, who began work last Monday, his official position.
No stars for LaLiga
Messi has not stepped on the locker room again. 11 days ago he sent the bureaufax to legally document the verbal wish he had conveyed to Bartomeu on several occasions. He now replies to LaLiga, the only body that has publicly positioned itself in this case. Neither the captain himself nor FC Barcelona have issued any statement. Only Thebes, which with the departure of the Argentine would lose an incalculable sporting heritage, which would have commercial and economic repercussions.
Neymar left for France in 2017 to meet Mbappé at PSG. Cristiano Ronaldo left for Italy in 2018 with Juventus and could now leave, two years later, Messi, on his way to England, to boost the brand and financial muscle of the Premier League by playing for Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Hence Messi, in his first move after the bureaufax, aimed directly at the League, maintaining the scenario he wants. Leaving the Camp Nou, after 20 years of living together, getting an agreed exit, extending his hand to the club, as announced by EL PERIÓDICO last week.
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