Lionel Messi will reportedly continue to sit out after a meeting Wednesday between Jorge Messi and FC Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu concluded without a resolution to the week-long impasse.
The 33-year-old star has missed his preseason medical and Barca's training sessions this week after handing in a transfer request Aug. 25. At issue is Messi's desire to leave the club after two decades in Barcelona, with the two sides disagreeing on whether a termination clause in his contract is valid after the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the end to the 2019-20 season.
Messi says he has the right to walk away for free, while Barcelona contends that the stipulation has expired and its €700 million release clause is still valid.
Jorge Messi, the player's father and agent, flew into Spain for a meeting with Bartomeu on Wednesday. According to Diario Sport, the meeting — which was also attended by other representatives for both sides — concluded without an agreement, meaning Messi will continue to hold out for the time being.
The Daily Mail reported that the meeting lasted for 1.5 hours, with Bartomeu adamant that any team interested in acquiring Messi would have to pay a hefty transfer fee — possibly even the entire €700 million release clause figure.
Manchester City has emerged as the leading candidate for Messi's services, with reports earlier this week indicating that the Premier League club's ownership group may have already agreed to personal terms with the player on a massive potential five-year deal.