Lionel Messi’s father and agent appeared to raise the possibility that he’s exploring the option of the Barcelona talisman staying at the club for one more year, according to Spanish TV station Cuatro.
When asked by a Cuatro reporter on Thursday morning whether the option was being considered, Cuatro reported that he replied: “Yes.” CNN was not independently able to verify Jorge Messi’s comments. Messi’s reply could be interpreted as “yes” or “I don’t know.”
CNN did not immediately hear back from the club or Messi’s representatives (including his father) when asked for comment.
It comes after Jorge Messi met with Barcelona leadership for 90 minutes on Wednesday to discuss the Argentina international’s future with the club.
A source with direct knowledge of the meeting told CNN Sport that Jorge was accompanied by Lionel’s brother Rodrigo as wellas a lawyer, and met with Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu and board member Javier Bordas.
READ: 20 moments that defined Lionel Messi’s career
The source spoke on the condition of anonymity, in keeping with the club’s rules about official statements to the media.
The source added that the meeting was convivial, but that the club has no intention of ending Messi’s contract and was only interested in negotiating an extension for two more years with the 33-year-old Argentine forward. Messi’s contract will run out on June 30, 2021.
The release clause associated with Messi’s contract is believed to be 700 million euros ($833 million).
However, according to multiple reports, Messi believes he has a clause in his contract which allows him to leave Barcelona for free this summer.
Reportedly, the clause expired on June 10, 2020, but Messi and his representatives believe he still has the right to activate it now due to the season being extended because of the pandemic.
The 33-year-old Argentine international failed to show up for a coronavirus test at Barcelona’s training ground on Sunday and subsequently did not attend pre-season training earlier this week.
David Close contributed to this report
