DECRYPTION
It is already one of the most publicized divorces in the history of sport: Lionel Messi announced Tuesday to the leaders of FC Barcelona that he wanted to leave the Blaugrana club, where he has played for twenty years. But his departure, which upset the world of football, has not yet been confirmed, for several reasons. Some observers suggest he could even honor the final year of his contract, next season.
A clause at the heart of the tensions
The first obstacle to the effective departure of Lionel Messi from Barça is of a contractual nature: on Tuesday, the player's lawyers sent the club a registered letter in which they announced Messi's desire to terminate his contract unilaterally, under a clause that expired on June 10. But the club considers that his contract is still valid until June 30, 2021, confirmed to AFP a source within the Catalan club.
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"In principle, this clause expired on June 10, but the atypical nature of this season cut by the coronavirus has paved the way for Messi to ask to be released from his contract now. A first step towards opening a negotiation for his departure, on the basis of his release clause which amounts to 700 million euros, "said Marca , the best-selling newspaper in Spain, Tuesday evening. This warning shot could therefore be followed by a showdown between experts to determine whether the validity of this clause can be extended.
An overly greedy superstar?
The other brake is external: under which skies will the jewel Messi shine if he leaves the setting and the comfort of Barcelona? There are clearly not many clubs that are ready to welcome him. "La Pulga" has won four Champions Leagues, six Ballons d'Or and has 240 million fans on social networks. Unsurprisingly, it is therefore terribly expensive: more than 100 million euros per season, just in salary. This is more than Neymar and Kylian Mbappé combined and more than the total budget of Olympique de Marseille. In Paris, we dream of course, but the capital club will lose money this year and remain under the close control of financial fair play.
Everyone sends him to Manchester City, the club of his darling ex-coach Pep Guardiola. The two men would have recently mentioned their reunion. But Manchester City is also under the threat of financial fair play, which had also condemned him in the first instance to two seasons without European competitions. The English club, owned by Abu Dhabi, will have to be very inventive to stay in the nails. We also speak, without much hope, of the other club of Manchester, United, or Inter Milan. But also from an exotic destination like the United States, for example at Inter Miami.
The hypothesis of a real-false start
The latest obstacle to Lionel Messi's departure may not be one: many observers believe the Argentine could stay at his club forever once the leaders in place are sacked.
President Josep Maria Bartomeu, against whom Messi has gone into "total war" according to the Catalan press, has come under fire after a nightmarish season. He is also threatened by a motion of censure filed this Wednesday morning by the opponent Jordi Farré. And a rally to demand his resignation was to take place Wednesday evening in Barcelona.