What’s the tiebreaker on Messi’s contract? Barcelona must get rid of players for their idol

Lionel Messi and Barcelona, this connection has been inseparable for over a decade. But now it is (perhaps temporarily) over. The Argentine footballer is a free agent and can choose his engagements wherever he wants.

However, he would like to stay at Barcelona. But to do so, club president Joan Laporta literally has to move mountains and mines. The financial situation of the Blaugranas is not flattering.

In the winter it came to light that Messi wanted to leave Catalonia. But a change of president and the arrival of his best friend Sergio Agüero reversed his decision. If his desire to leave had lasted, according to the Spanish media, he would have done so by now, as he has been without an engagement for six days.

This gives Barcelona the time it desperately needs. He cannot sign his captain at the moment. The Blaugranas would be breaking the financial rules of La Liga because of the astronomical salary. And that’s what Joan Laporta tried to change in a meeting with Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga.

Although the 58-year-old bafoon certainly doesn’t want to lose his league’s biggest star, as the image of the whole competition would suffer, he urged Barcelona to respect the rules. So there will be no bending of the rules and Joan Laporta must find another way to re-sign Messi.

And that is the departure of several players who more or less burden the club’s coffers with their salaries. Matheus Fernandes’ contract has been terminated, Francisco Trincao is leaving for Wolves, Junior Firpo is expected to be on his way to Leeds. But these three players will not take the thorn out of the Catalans’ side, so Laporta has to get rid of the heavier weights.

The club’s president has reportedly already asked Miralem Pjanic and Samuel Umtiti to terminate their contracts, but the players have not agreed. Laporta will try to sell them at any cost, just like Philippe Coutinho, and Antoine Griezmann may have to make room for the captain by leaving.

Barcelona’s financial crisis is already quite evident. Although several players have already arrived (Memphis Depay, Sergio Agüero, Eric García,) they all have one common indicator. They came for free after their contracts expired. Thus, instead of expensive reinforcements, the Blaugranas have to rely on free players, who in turn have to add in the wage column. And this also complicates Lionel Messi’s new contract.

Source: Marca, AS Diario, La Vanguardia