Barcelona is unwavering in its intention to keep Lionel Messi at the club, who told earlier this week that he wanted to leave. Spanish media say Messi has contacted the club to try to resolve the situation, but Barcelona confirmed on Saturday that it will not negotiate to allow the Argentina great to depart before his contract ends next year. Earlier this week, Messi said he wanted to invoke a contract clause that allowed him to leave at the end of last season, but the club said the clause had already expired.

A lengthy legal battle may ensue as the forward is expected to say the clause was valid until the end of the season, which was pushed back because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Barcelona are not willing to give up on the player, especially not for free. Messi's contract, which ends in June 2021, has a buyout clause of 700 million euros (R6094 crore). He has been with the club for nearly two decades.

Spanish media said Messi and his team contacted the club late this week to try to discuss his situation. He had announced his intention to leave by sending the club a burofax, a certified document similar to a telegram. Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu reportedly tried to meet with the player after his decision to leave was announced. He later said he was willing to resign if that was what it took to get Messi to stay, and if the six-times Ballon D'Or winner admitted the president's presence at the club was the reason he wanted to leave.

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