"My son does not stay"
The father of Barcelona striker Lionel Messi Jorge flew to Spain to discuss the future of his son with the president of the club, Josep Maria Bartomeu.
It is reported that he intended to persuade the Catalans to let the player go without trial, but the parties failed to agree.
Messi Sr. did not comment on the results of the meeting, only briefly noting: "My son will not stay."
Meanwhile, many rumors continue to circulate around the future Argentine, sometimes contradicting each other.
One of the most likely scenarios is his move to English Manchester City.
According to British media reports, Messi has allegedly already agreed on a contract with the new team for five years.
The forward will play three of them in the English Premier League (Premier League), and the remaining two in the American New York City, also owned by the owners of the Citizens.
The total amount of the contract is allegedly € 700 million. Part of the money may be paid to the player in the form of shares in the City Football Group holding, although this item has not yet been approved.
The information provided by the journalist Marcelo Behler can be an indirect proof of the speedy transfer of the Argentinean to Manchester City.
According to him, preparations for the presentation of the newcomer have already begun in the English club.
For this, archival recordings of his performances were requested.
At the same time, according to other sources, the management of the six-time champion of England intends to refuse the transfer.
The fact is that Messi's contract with Barcelona ends next summer, and the compensation amount is € 700 million. After analyzing their financial capabilities, the “townspeople” came to the conclusion that they could not afford such an expensive purchase.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Manchester City head coach Josep Guardiola intervened.
It is reported that he advised Messi not only not to leave the camp of the blue garnet now, but also to completely end his career in it.
Meanwhile, Barcelona, according to ESPN sources, may release him now, but only if he does not sign a new contract before the expiration of the previous one.
Thus, Lionel will be left without a salary for the whole season, but will leave the team without a high-profile trial.
Earlier, as another option for continuing his career, Messi was called Inter.
As confirmation, it was reported that the footballer allegedly even managed to look for an apartment in Milan.
However, sports director Piero Ausilio denied information about the club's interest in the Argentine.
According to him, any team would like to see such a player in its composition, but at the moment there are no negotiations on this topic.
"The biggest betrayal in football history"
As the situation develops, the atmosphere around Messi is heating up more and more.
Some of the fans and experts took the side of the football player, who believes that its leadership is to blame for the troubles of Barcelona.
Some fans even held rallies calling for Bartomeu to leave his post and keep the captain on the team.
But there are those who believe that the Argentinean, who defended the colors of the team for 20 years, is wrong.
Thus, the Spanish journalist Edu Aguirre sharply criticized Messi's intention.
“I think Messi is committing the biggest betrayal in football history.
Barcelona fans don't deserve this.
Messi drops them.
He escapes from a sinking ship, ”- quoted Aguirre Marca.
At the same time in Barcelona itself they hope that the striker will change his mind.
And the point is not only that the team may lose an outstanding striker, but also in the atmosphere in the team.
Recently, the Argentine has repeatedly acted on behalf of the team, expressing dissatisfaction on certain issues.
It is assumed that the leader's departure will not help normalize the situation.
“Now the team is in disorder, a lot of strange things are happening.
Chaos.
I have not spoken about this either with him or with the club, so, to be honest, I don’t know anything.
But if Messi really leaves, it will be a huge blow for the team and the club.
Let's see what happens when I come back from the games of the national team ... I hope he will still be here, but it does not depend on me.
Lionel is still in the group chat, ”midfielder Frenkie de Jong told Fox Sports.
The situation in Barcelona can radically change only with the departure of Bartomeu, but the election of a new president is scheduled only for March 2021.
One of the candidates for this post, Viktor Font, called on the parties to settle the conflict, and in case of failure, at least try to maintain normal relations.
“Until the end comes, there is always hope, right?
Therefore, I really hope that he will change his mind.
Though it seems unlikely.
Therefore, if he does leave, it is necessary to focus on making the transition process as smooth as possible, and that the deep connection that exists between Messi and Barcelona remains, so that we can somehow ensure continued cooperation in the future. " , - quotes the words of Font Sky Sports.
Be that as it may, there are fewer and fewer hopes of Lionel staying at Barcelona.
According to media reports, he notified the club that he would not take part in the pre-season training camp and did not arrive for a medical examination and first training session.
At the same time, in accordance with the contract, the club has the right to fine a football player by 25% of his salary if he misses from 11 to 30 days.
A young fan waited for Messi to show up to Barca's pre-season training 💔 pic.twitter.com/AjYfOXqLZF
- B / R Football (@brfootball) August 30, 2020
The saga of Messi's potential departure from Barcelona can already be called one of the most high-profile events of this year.
While several clubs are fighting for the transfer at once, the fans of the German “Stuttgart” decided that their team would also not do without the Argentinean and took the initiative into their own hands, launching a fundraiser on the Internet for his purchase.
At the moment, out of the planned € 900 million, € 4.5 thousand have been collected. But if this transition fails, all funds will be sent to a charitable organization.