Lionel Messi’s status in Barcelona group chat disclosed by teammate

Lionel Messi may be snubbing a return to Barcelona training following his transfer request but the superstar has not yet turned his back on his teammates.

The Argentine forward has been staying away from the club as his contract wrangle continues, with Messi insistent he should no longer be considered a Barcelona player.

Club chiefs remain adamant they will not sell the 33-year-old for less than his £630million release clause, but talks with Man City are already believed to have taken place.

Messi’s father Jorge has even flown to Spain for a showdown with Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu in a bid to resolve the situation.

However midfielder Frenkie de Jong has revealed his captain is still available to teammates on the team’s Whatsapp between players.

“Yes. Messi is still in the team’s group chat,” de Jong told Fox Sports . “I hope that Messi will return to the team, but it doesn’t depend on me.

“I am not the person who should talk to Messi to convince him of anything. I’m sure lots of people have already approached him.”

Barcelona remain hopeful Messi will make a U-turn on his decision and stay at the Nou Camp.

The dispute over his contract is due to a clause in Messi’s deal which stated he could leave at the end of the season on a free transfer.

But as the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, the clause expired back in June, two months before Messi finally slapped in his request.

City are the favourites to sign him this summer and would be able to finance a transfer, but for a fee considerably less than his release clause.

Barcelona are set to lose their talisman for nothing next summer anyway once Messi’s contract expires, and presidential candidate Victor Font says both parties should work together to make for an amicable exit.

Where do you think Messi will be playing next season? Have your say below.

Asked if he feels Messi could stay, Font told Sky Sports : “That’s the hope, right? Until it’s over there is always hope. And therefore I really hope the decision can be changed.

“It doesn’t seem likely, though, and therefore if that’s the case, the focus should be on making the transition as smooth as possible.

“And the ties between Messi and Barcelona that go very deep, remain there, so we can ensure somehow, the relationship continues in the future.”

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