La Liga back Barcelona in Lionel Messi saga, say his $833 million release clause still applies

La Liga have given a boost to Barca’s hopes of keeping Messi by announcing that the release clause in his contract, set at 700 million euros ($833 million), still applies.

Messi and his lawyers believe a separate clause means he should be allowed to leave for free this summer.

Barcelona insist a clause included in Messi’s contract that allowed him to go for free this summer had to be activated by June 10 and the only way the 33-year-old will be allowed to depart now is via the payment of 700 million euros.