Lionel Messi has officially become a free agent as of today, July 1, 2021, after the player and his club, Barcelona, were unable to reach an agreement before the deadline. However, the club remains hopeful of a breakthrough in the future.
Talks are said to be progressing well, and an update was provided by President Joan Laporta recently. When quizzed about the peculiar contact situation recently, Laporta asked for patience. “Don’t worry,” were the words used by Laporta while addressing the situation regarding Messi’s contract status.
In that sense, Laporta’s message is no different than the ones he was provided sporadically since his appointment as the club president. The Spaniard has preached patience and maintained a hopeful tone throughout the early months of his second tenure.
“We want Lionel Messi to stay and Leo wants to stay. Everything is on track – we have the issue of Financial Fair Play, we are in the process of finding the best solution for both parties,”
Laporta told El Transistor recently.
Messi came close to leaving the club last summer and went as far as formally asking for permission to leave. However, naturally, Barcelona declined Messi’s request and were able to keep hold of their talisman thanks to the expiration of a release clause in his contract.
Nonetheless, Messi’s dispute with the club resulted in the expulsion of Josep Bartomeu as the club president, months before the election process. Joan Laporta was subsequently appointed in his place, and he began his second term promising to take care of the situation.
The Argentinian forward has been linked with moves to Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in the past. However, the pair’s interest seems to have died down in recent months, with the player expected to sign a new contract at Barcelona instead.
