LIONEL MESSI will stay at Barcelona after deciding he could never take legal action against the club to force a move to Manchester City.
Messi had served his notice to quit Barca last month, leaving his family devastated, with City waiting in the wings to snap up the footballing great.
Lionel Messi will stay at Barcelona for one more yearCredit: PA:Press Association
But Barca insist they will not let their superstar leave for anything less than £623million – and made it clear the only way that would change was if the 33-year-old took them to court.
Messi cannot bring himself to drag the Spanish giants through the courts despite believing he has a legal right to leave on a free transfer but heavily criticised president Josep Maria Bartomeu’s management.
He told Goal: “I wasn’t happy and I wanted to leave.
“I have not been allowed this in any way and I will STAY at the club so as not to get into a legal dispute.
“The management of the club led by Bartomeu is a disaster.
“I thought and was sure that I was free to leave, the president always said that at the end of the season I could decide if I stayed or not.
“Now they cling to the fact that I did not say it before June 10, when it turns out that on June 10 we were competing for La Liga in the middle of this awful coronavirus and this disease altered all the season.
“And this is the reason why I am going to continue in the club. Now I am going to continue in the club because the president told me that the only way to leave was to pay the €700 million (£624m/$823m) clause, and that this is impossible.”
The clause officially expired on June 10 but Messi’s camp argue it should be extended because the ongoing pandemic delayed the season.
It has sparked a major transfer tug-of-war between the player, his father and Barcelona that looked set to have a bitter ending.
But Messi has backed down in negotiations and will continue to play at the Nou Camp under new boss Ronaldo Koeman.
Manchester City were ready to lure Messi to the Etihad with a sensational contract worth £2.4million-a-week.
The incredible deal would have made the Argentina captain the highest-paid individual in the history of the sport.
Barca president Josep Bartomeu looks to have won the transfer battleCredit: Reuters
Messi’s statement comes just hours after his father and agent sent LaLiga a letter claiming the player is a free agent.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague explained that it “denies LaLiga interpretation that the €700m buyout clause is still applicable.
“Jorge insists it is not applicable from the end of last season if the player decides unilaterally to leave FCB.”
He then revealed that LaLiga have hit back with a letter of their own.
On the response, Balague wrote: “LaLiga responds to Jorge Messi’s letter.
“They insist on their initial take as they reckon Messi is analysing the contract out of context and away from its literal meaning.”
Messi put further pressure on Barca chiefs this week after refusing to turn up to the club’s Covid-19 testing.
He then failed to show up to training with Koeman forced to take a look at his new squad without the main man.
Messi is also thought to be putting pressure on the Dutch coach to keep hold of his best mate and neighbour Luis Suarez.
Koeman has informed the striker he is up for sale as he plots to make major changes on the field.
Messi was left reeling with the decision and made his thoughts known to the backroom staff and hierarchy.
Now player power could prevail leaving Koeman with his hands tied.
Lionel Messi’s dad Jorge confirms for first time son is considering staying at Barcelona after positive talks with club
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
