It is no longer news that Lionel Andrés Messi, who is arguably the world’s best football player, has made known to Barcelona that he wants to exit the club. Messi was said to have sent a fax to the club’s management expressing his desire to leave the Spanish side. Barcelona on their part have said Messi can only leave should a buyer pay his €700 million buyout clause.

However, there is a reported early termination option available in Messi’s contract which was only to be exercised if he communicates his desire to leave the club by the end of the current season which was supposed to be 31 May. But due to the COVID-19 effect on football and sports calendar generally this year, the player’s representatives are set to argue that the deadline should be set to 31 August as a result of the adjournment of the 2019–20 season.

If both sides cannot come to agreeable terms, then this looks like a battle that would be drawn out between both parties.

The marriage between Messi and Barcelona is one that seems so perfect and has been fruitful over time. However, it seems to be upsetting for the player in recent times.

Taking a quick trip down memory lane to evaluate how the club and player found themselves in the current state of discord. Messi was signed as a young teenager to the Barcelona youth academy, they also helped in funding his growth hormone deficiency he got diagnosed with at the age of 10. His talent was undeniable to the Barcelona hierarchy who struggled to find a way to sign a foreign player that young.

Having impressed at the youth level for Barcelona where he was an integral part of Barcelona’s greatest youth side. He was integrated into the club’s first team side at the age of 16 and has been a major part of their success story since 2003.

Read more: https://www.theafricancourier.de/sports/lion-roars-lionel-messis-tussle-barcelona/