Has Lionel Messi been forced into a U-turn?
Argentine footballer Messi has changed his mind saying he is staying with FC Barcelona.
Star footballer Lionel Messi has been forced to back down in his attempt to leave his lifelong football club FC Barcelona.
The Argentine ended weeks of speculation by announcing he would reluctantly stay for one more season. Messi said he would see out his contract until next year to avoid taking the club to court.
The player wanted to leave on a free transfer – but Barca and the Spanish league say he is bound by a $837m buyout clause.
So what does Messi’s dispute with his club tell us about footballers’ contracts?
Presenter: Kim Vinnell
Guests
Rob Wilson – football finance expert, Sheffield Hallam University
Gemma Soler – football reporter and presenter for Gol TV
Andrew Nixon – lawyer and partner at Sheridans, a sport law group