Lionel Messi is set to tell his side of the story.
The 33-year-old football superstar intends to break his silence “in the coming days”, according to Goal.com, after informing Barcelona that he wanted out and exercising a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave the team .
Messi’s wish is to play for Premier League powerhouse Manchester City, where he would be reunited with his former coach Pep Guardiola. ESPN reported that Man City’s offer could include a potential move to New York City FC in three years.
Rumors about the Argentine potential member of MLS date back to two years ago, when he congratulated David Beckham on the official launch of the Miami MLS franchise that Beckham has after his stint with the LA Galaxy.
“Who knows, maybe in a few years you can call me,” Messi said in the 2018 video.
Barcelona are fighting the window for Messi to exercise his opt-out in June, but Messi’s camp believe the coronavirus – related extension of the European football season could give him the clause now that the season is over.
A team would have to pay Barcelona 700 million euros, which is about $ 828 million, to buy Messi if his opt-out is exceeded.
ESPN reported on Thursday that Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is ready to step down if it means Messi would stay at Barcelona, but the report says Messi’s spirit has already been made up.
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