Lionel Messi adamant that he is no longer contracted to Barcelona

The club legend failed to appear for planned pre-season testing

Lionel Messi's ongoing battle with Barcelona took another turn this weekend as the Argentine failed to turn up for planned pre-season testing after telling the club that he is no longer contracted to them. According to journalist Marcelo Bechler, Messi sent an official statement to the club stating that, as per the unilateral termination clause in his contract, he is now free to move clubs for no fee. Messi's stance is based on the assumption that a clause in his contract which allows him to leave on a free at the end of the season was still active when he activated earlier this month. Barcelona insist it has expired, while Messi believes the extension to the season rendered the clause still active and valid at the time he notified the club of his desire to leave. The club are expected to demand at least a portion of his €700 million release clause if they are to relent and allow him to leave Camp Nou. https://twitter.com/marcelobechler/status/1299983759941480448?s=20 According to Sky Sports, Messi has requested a meeting with the club's hierarchy to move beyond the impasse at which they currently find themselves. On Saturday, it was revealed that Barca had cut longstanding ties with the law firm Cuatrecasas for advising Messi on his departure from the club. The law firm had represented both parties for a number of years.