Lionel Messi Backtracks On Walking Away From Barcelona

Apparently, Lionel Messi will remain at Barcelona despite all attempts to leave the clubs with multiple links waiting to sign him to a deal. He is convinced the release clause remains a deterrent for any club to sign him and his children did not want him to leave either. 

Messi had already communicated to his club his desire to leave in a fax, which would allow him to be a free agent since it's only a season remaining in his contract. But that soon attracted a lot of mixed reactions over fears of breaching the financial fair play rules which could result in being banned and fined.  

Messi explained to Goal.com that leaving Barcelona turned out to be a mission "impossible" for him, however, the club president Josep Maria Bartomeu assured him he can on the expiration of his contract or better still get an extension. 

He added, "And this is the reason why I am going to continue in the club. Now I am going to continue in the club because the president told me the only way to leave was to pay the 700m clause and that this is impossible."

It was previously thought the clause has canceled out in June from when the player can leave as a free agent but after club discussed with his father on his son's future, it was understood the cluase without a doubt remain in effect. 

His family, he added is another reason that will keep him at Barcelona as they did not approve of leaving when he told his wife and children. He revealed his children cried over the news as they did not "want to change schools."