MADRID: The first indication of how determined Lionel Messi is to leave Barcelona and how ugly this dispute could become will be gauged at the club’s training ground on Sunday. Barcelona insist a clause included in Messi’s contract that allowed him to go for free this summer had to be activated by June 10 and is therefore no longer valid. If the Argentinian refuses to show up for tests on Sunday, and by extension pre-season training on Monday, it will suggest there is no going back. Cajoled by teammates — although many of them expect to leave, too — Messi could be persuaded to stay. But Messi has instead asked for a meeting, not to negotiate, but to begin facilitating an amicable and dignified departure.

Source: Manila Times August 30, 2020 16:16 UTC