Lionel Messi's father denies €700m release clause in Barcelona contract

Does Lionel Messi still have his €700 million release clause at Barcelona? His agent and father, Jorge, has insisted he no longer has the release clause in a letter to La Liga president Javier Tebas.

"This compensation will not apply when the resolution of the contract, by the unilateral decision of the player, takes effect from the end of the 2019-20 sporting season," Messi's father said, according to ESPN's Moises Llorens and Alex Kirkland. "It's obvious that the compensation of €700m... does not apply at all."

This statement comes after La Liga released a statement last week siding with Barcelona and against Messi. The league said it analyzed Messi's contract, which they say remains valid with the €700 million release clause.

Messi and his father met with Barcelona this week and things reportedly went well. The club now believes that they can possibly retain Messi for another season, though anything can happen. 

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are said to be extremely interested in Messi. However, many believe that Messi will end up with the Premier League side, though, instead of in France.

The 33-year-old recently spoke with City head coach Pep Guardiola to tell him he wanted to leave Barcelona after nearly 20 years with the club.

There's no agreement between Messi and Manchester City, though the club has been in contact with his father. As reported earlier this week, City are prepared to offer him a long-term deal that would move him to MLS side NYCFC after three years in the Premier League.