Lionel Messi | Joins Inter Miami (pg4111)

[Keeper!]

We respected his decision, is what i'm trying to say. We didn't force him to reconsider or make things difficult for him. We listened, thanked him for his time with us, showed appreciation and respect and parted company.

Barca hasn't done anything like that.

We respected his decision because the club knew in their hearts he was done.

The point is Barca would never have dreamed Messi would go to a serious rival at the end of his career, IF he was off to the MLS or China, I am sure there would be little fuss.

Barca and the board see an opportunity to make some money out of him in terms of a fee, but the president has already publicly stated he could leave for free this summer, so what were seeing is all political to save face.

 

[asahartford1]

Where's he going then ?

Probably to Court , knowing Spain.

 

[not my fault!]

Surely Messi could have invoked the Webster ruling last year being over 28 when he signed his new contract? Can’t players 28 and older invoke it after 2 years?

But if as is being reported he has a walk away clause too then what difference does it make? Barça are trying to get a payout for him now nothing more.

 

[waspish]

I not sure I agree with the politics sentiment, clearly the Barca model is not recipe for disaster judging by their trophy haul and financial turnover.

And there 800m debt and there loan of 800m to cover there arses.

 

[BluechesterCity]

There’s a poll on the barcacentre twitter.

24,000 votes

88% say Barca should help to facilitate his exit

Got to hand it to the Barca fans - they must absolutely love Messi and to support his departure must be tough. Now that is worthy of respect!

 

[Keeper!]

I not sure I agree with the politics sentiment, clearly the Barca model is not recipe for disaster judging by their trophy haul and financial turnover.

Turnover is enormous, but what is their debt? That's a better idea of the truth.

 

[Maly]

It’s for fifa to release it, not Barca.

Is it? I thought registrations were held by the national FA??

 

[leo_city]

You are right but its different case now.


1- Messi and his legal team believe he is free and can leave for nothing.
2- Barcelona & La Liga believe the release clause of 700m is still valid

If we have to negotiate with Barca, it means Bartomeu is right and Messi can't leave without his permission.

Agree, but then:
1. Messi has clear intentions of leaving the club
2. Barça cannot afford to keep a player of Messi's quality and calibre unhappy whilst giving him €1m per week roughly, a club that is already struggling with finances and balancing books.
3. They will eventually have to then sell him, there is no other option, get as much back for him as possible, and reinvest to an extent while balancing out the books before the end of current board's tenure (roughly 6 months left), else, they'll be responsible for writing off 15% of the club's debts themselves, and with current situation, imagine Messi still being there but not playing good, or just not playing out of protest.

This is a no loss situation for City, either we get Messi and become even better, or Barça board just continue to worsen and trouble their own club with further issues, while we get the targets as we planned initially and go into a new season.

 

[Keeper!]

City took on UEFA and won. What does Tebas hope to gain by taking this petulent stance?

Trying to protect the wounded and damaged La Liga.

 

[TheThirdDeano]

What's stopping messi from retiring, right this moment and then unretiring in a week?