Jorge Messi, father and agent of Lionel Messi, arrives at El Prat airport for a meeting with Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu, Barcelona, Spain, September 2, 2020. /VCG
Lionel Messi's father and agent has met with Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu to discuss the six-time Ballon d'Or winner's future.
Jorge Messi touched down at El Prat Airport in Barcelona on Wednesday along with Messi's brother Rodrigo and a lawyer. According to multiple Spanish media outlets, the negotiation lasted 90 minutes and no agreement has been reached. Messi still wants to leave, while Barca have no intention of ending his contract.
The Barcelona camp insisted that Messi will only be allow to depart if his 700-million-euro (833 million U.S. dollars) release clause is activated. Further talks are expected between the two parties in coming days.
Upon his arrival at the airport, Jorge insisted he didn't know anything when asked "Is Messi going to leave Barcelona or what?" He also admitted it will be "difficult" for his son to remain at Barcelona after submitting a formal transfer request. Quizzed on Manchester City's interest in Messi, Jorge responded: "I haven't talked with Pep. There is nothing yet with City."
Messi is determined to move and the 33-year-old failed to show up for a COVID-19 test at Barcelona's training ground on Sunday, thus skipping the La Liga giants pre-season training on Monday and Tuesday.
A hanging rubber doll representing Lionel Messi seen in the window of a souvenir shop, Barcelona, Spain, September 2, 2020. /VCG
Meanwhile, Champions League winner Philippe Coutinho has returned to Barcelona after his loan spell with Bayern Munich ended.
The Bundesliga powerhouse, who beat Paris Saint-Germain to secure the treble, decided against making the 28-year-old's temporary move a permanent one despite his fine form during the latter stage of the season.
"We want to thank Philippe Coutinho very much. With his creativity and excellent technique, he enlivened our game in the treble season," CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in a statement. "[His performances in the Champions League especially] proved that it was a good decision to have him on loan. We all wish Philippe all the best for his future career."
It remains unclear whether Coutinho will be part of Ronald Koeman's Barca squad for the 2020-21 season.