Amid the wild speculations that Lionel Messi could be thinking of leaving Camp Nou, the reported exit clause on his existing contract, signed in 2017, is believed to have expired on May 30. And that should mean that the Barcelona team captain is staying with the Catalans for at least one more year.
The provision for his release would have allowed the Argentine superstar to switch sides for the next season at no cost for the receiving team. Messi will only need to send notice to the Barca board that he intends to leave this June for the break clause to take effect.
As of midnight of June 1st, no word had reached the club management from the skipper, and it can be assumed that Messi has no plans of leaving yet. According to NBC Sports, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner has likely elected to continue with Barcelona next season.
Before the expiration of the release clause, there were suggestions of the forward's imminent departure from Catalonia, and the stories stemmed from his series of spats with the Barcelona hierarchy. Messi himself has hinted that he is at odds with club executives following the sacking of Ernesto Valverde in January.
Messi again made public his displeasure with Barca executives in the aftermath of a pay cut deal with the club. Stories circulated at the start of the coronavirus-induced lockdown that the Barcelona roster was making it difficult for the agreement to be approved.
Taking to social media, the 32-year-old belied the accusations and claimed the problem had originated with some Barca officials. In the end, the deal went through, but the rumors that Messi could be out Spain soon refused to die down.
With the clause no longer in effect, Metro said Barcelona would likely initiate fresh talks with the superstar that could lead to a few more years of stay in Camp Nou. The club, however, has made clear that the chief intention is for Messi to retire, still wearing the Barcelona jersey.
It can be assumed as well that standing offers for Messi to join up with other teams and leagues would melt away eventually. Reports said Juventus will want to bring the Little Magician to Italy, and the same goes for Inter Milan.
David Beckham, co-owner of MLS club Inter Miami, has also stated that convincing Messi to take his game to the United States is a top priority for him. Per the latest development, Beckham could forego that plan.
It's the same case for Manchester City, whose coach, Pep Guardiola, had previously worked with Messi. Guardiola had stated that he's ready to make adjustments for the Barca captain, which most likely is moot and academic now.
