straight to your inboxFrenkie de Jong has revealed that Lionel Messi remains in the Barcelona players' WhatsApp group despite the Argentinian handing in a transfer request and missing the first days of pre-season training.Messi believes he has activated a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for free and that he is no longer a Barcelona player.
The club say that clause had expired, and the only way he can leave is if a club activated his £630m release clause. Manchester City are waiting for the situation to play out as they continue to be linked as Messi's most likely destination should he leave.
Since Messi informed Barcelona of his intention to leave, no Barcelona has spoken publicly over their captain's dispute with the club,.
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