Leo Messi could take his case to FIFA in order to leave Barça

On Sunday Lionel Messi failed to appear for his round of PCR testing. The Argentine star has already told Barça that is he activating the 'exit clause' in his contract and is searching for a new club. Leo would prefer that his departure is done in a respectful, friendly way but Barça are so far refusing to budge.

Messi does have a €700m buyout clause that, if another club pays, would immediately free him from his contract.

Another factor is the role FIFA - and CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) - could play in this scenario. They are obligated to get involved the moment a side has presented a bid for a player. That's to say if Manchester City, PSG or Juventus asked FIFA for the right to sign Messi, and international clearance, they would then be able to get involved. They have the power to say the player has the right to play, a right to earn money by working.

The other important factor here is what would be considered a fair price for Messi. This can't be decided by FIFA or CAS. If Barça and the team which wants to sign Messi are unable to reach an agreement, it would need to go through court to decide what would be an acceptable price for the greatest of all-time. They would look at his contract length, his age, his earnings and what the personal cost would be to Barça if they didn't have Messi's services.

That court would then need to decide whether the 'exit clause' Messi's legal team are claiming is still active is valid and then, if not, whether the €700m buyout clause is a fair price to free him from his contract at Barça. 

In Spain, the Cámara de Disputas of FIFA plays second fiddle to the rules in the Spanish legislation. The main bone of contention is because this season ended later than expected due to the coronavirus pandemic. FIFA can recommend action in regards to whether the clause is still valid but they can't overrule any decision which is protected by Spanish law.

It would only be in the case of another Spanish side wanting Messi where they would need to deposit his full buyout clause with the RFEF. That payment is technically in the name of the player, who is freeing himself, but is paid for by the buying club. If he leaves for a side outside of Spain, as expected - and those clauses weren't in vigour - Leo would still need to buy himself out of his contract. But it's appearing more and more likely this will go through the court system.