Messi Barça transfer request: news summary 3 September
Messi-Barcelona: live updates and reaction
Messi requests Barça exit - key day in talks with the club
Here is a selection of some of the latest stories...
License to dream
Spain's late draw in Stuttgart dominates Friday's front cover of AS with Messi's situation at FCB also reflected as an acceptance emerges that the Argentine will stay at Camp Nou for one more season.
No way out
Spanish cartoonist Marselle concurs that Messi is destined to find no exit from the FC Barcelona maze.
He's thinking about it...
Tomorrow's Sport concludes that Messi is now contemplating staying at Camp Nou for one more season
FC Barcelona fans, one of them holding a sign that reads 'Messi show your face', gather outside the Argentinian forward Lionel Messi's house in Barcelona, earlier.
(Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP)
Bartomeu accused of possible corruption over 'Barçagate'
Bartomeu's situation gets messier
More detail on the news we were telling you about earlier.
The Catalan police force (Los Mossos De Esquadra) have compiled a report suggesting 'possible criminal activity for personal gain' could have occurred during the I3 Ventures agreement.
Fati's Spanish chance
It's worth noting that much of the Spanish media has been focused on the national team's efforts against Germany this evening.
If you missed it, a last-gasp Gayá goal clinched a draw for La Roja but there were some very positive glimpses from Messi's Barça teammate Ansu Fati who came on in the second half. The youngster also made history.
Getting it Dunne
Our very own Robbie Dunne gives a quick summary of the corruption allegations hanging over Josep Bartomeu in this thread.
Everyone has an angle
The pass and groove mob had a look at all the reasonable clubs that Messi could have ended up at. Since we're not hearing anything right now from Barça or the player, why not have a read...
Griezmann is crossing his fingers over Messi
We reported earlier in the week about the opportunity that could be handed to Antoine Griezmann if the current talisman at Barça left (and his agent even talked about the Frenchman's previous desire to leave).
But as per the report from L'Équipe, the striker is hoping that the Argentine will stay.
"We try to get news [on Messi situation], but what happens is between the club and him. We just hope he stays," Griezmann stated while on international duty.
"We listen to everything but we do not know any more from our side, ”concluded the frontman, who said he was "focused on the national team."
All quiet on the Messi front
Despite Leo's meeting with his father today, unless things change a lot in the next few hours, we are not expecting to hear directly from the Argentine camp again today.
This is being reported by ESPN's Moisés Llorens in Barcelona.
Clearly, though, that does not mean that we won't find out other aspects of the meeting from other sources...
Messi won't be booed at the Camp Nou - Rivaldo
"If Messi stays for at least one more season it won't be a problem," Rivaldo said.
"Blaugrana fans still have lots of love for him and know that he is a legendary player who made and can still make the difference at the club, so things can still end up nicely.
Read the full story.
Just the three subs for EPL
If Messi does indeed make it to Manchester City, he'll have to be aware of the following decision. I guess he'd still get some minutes.
'Horns of a dilemma'
Graham and Sid provide some input into the debate.
Suárez and Messi playing together
Reports are that both friends were involved in a game of padel (a wonderful mix between tennis and squash for those unfamiliar with the sport) today.
The two men returned to Suárez's home later.
The friend: Luis Suárez
Clearly the focus at the moment is firmly on Lionel Messi but there are numerous players and relationships that are directly or indirectly affected by whatever the outcome is.
One example is his friend, Luis Suárez. New boss Ronald Koeman has made it clear that he doesn't see the Uruguayan playing a major role in his team this season. But with complications on a Juve move now happening, and a significant chance that Messi may remain at the Camp Nou, time will tell how this works out.
Thoughts are also on the situations surrounding the likes of Griezmann and Coutinho. When it looked more than probable that the current number 10 was out the door, it was being suggested that the French and Brazilian attackers could be key to the new side. They still could be but...
Rakitic has a new home waiting for Messi
The recently-departed Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic was asked about the idea of Lionel Messi following him to Sevilla to win lots of silverware.
His response was perfect: "We could find a space for him!"
Bartomeu offers Messi 'free' time off
Reports in Spain from those close to the negotiations taking place have stated that the Barça president is offering not to fine the wantaway player for not turning up for testing and subsequent training.
Instead Bartomeu has suggested that Messi takes a few extra days off...to think some more.
Messi lawyer questions renewal offer
According to the Spanish television network, Deportes Cuatro, one of the most tense moments of yesterday's meeting was when Barcelona offered a contract renewal to Messi. The response from the lawyer was said to be rather blunt:
"How is he going to want to renew for two years if he already wants to leave now?"
Fair question.
Messi thought about the move
Juan Carlos Unzué, who was the assistant coach at Barcelona and knows the dressing room well, says he convinced Messi thought long and hard about his decision to leave, and it was not a spur of the moment decision or done in a fit of anger. "He'll have his reasons", says Unzué.
Messi has made his mind up
According to Spanish sports programme El Chiringuito, Messi has taken a decision, which will be announced very soon. Messi's father was over at Messi's house for a short meeting, but didn't stay for lunch.
Messi's father now doubting Barcelona exit
One year more...
Plan B appears to be stay for a year and leave in the summer of 2021... and Plan B appears to be rapidly gaining ground in the Messi Family thinking.
Jorge Messi asked about Messi's chances of staying
Today, Jorge Messi gave another brief reply to journalists, answering, "I don't know" when asked about the possibility that Leo could end up staying at Barcelona. Yesterday, the player's father and agent said it was "very difficult" for his son to continue at the club.
Messi now likely to stay at Barcelona, says report in Argentina
90% chance he's staying, apparently
Reports in Argentina are that Messi is now reconsidering his position and is very much more than likely to back down and stay at Barça.
Barcelona's captains anxiously await Messi's decision
Barcelona's captains await Messi's decision
If Messi leaves Barcelona, it would change the leadership hierarchy within the team. Koeman would make Gerard Piqué the first captain and promote Marc-André ter Stegen as one of the four captains.
Read more:
Can Messi continue refusing to train?
Since the squad returned to work following the summer holidays, Ronald Koeman has overseen three training sessions - all of which without Leo Messi, who is refusing to show up until his contract situation is cleared up.
The Barcelona squad has been given today off to rest but the players are expected back at the Ciutat Esportiva tomorrow for a session which, like the rest of this week's, starts at 9:30 hours. If Messi and the club are able to reach an agreement today and the player decides to stay, he could return to train with his team mates tomorrow. However, if he misses tomorrow's session, and Saturday's, Barcelona will have to decide on what kind of disciplinary action to take. The more training sessions Messi misses, the greater the fine he could end up having to pay, possibly up to 20% of his salary.
Stalemate...
After Jorge Messi and Josep Maria Bartomeu sat down to discuss the situation yesterday, Barça and Messi appear divided on the player's contract and both stubbornly refusing to back down. Messi's father features on today's front cover of the print edition of AS:
Messi tells Barcelona he wants to leave
Last week, Lionel Messi had told FC Barcelona that he wanted to leave. It appeared then that the player's mind was already made up and that he would not play again for the club he has served for practically his entire career.
However, the situation has been developing during the past 24 hours after the player's father Jorge held an emergency meeting with Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu. According to reports from Argentina, Messi, who continues to miss training with the rest of the squad, could make a definitive decision on his future today...