IVAN RAKITIC

His buyout clause stands at an untouchable 700 million euros ($828 million), but he could have likely fetched a hefty price if Barcelona had been willing to listen to offers. “We think it would be good for him to finish his career with the club,” Moix said. It fell 203 million euros ($240 million) short, according to the club’s annual financial report presented by Moix last week, due to the coronavirus. Young defender Jean-Claire Todibo was loaned to Benfica for 2 million euros ($2.3 million). According to Moix, it also saved 30 million euros ($35 million euros) in salaries Barcelona would not have to pay this campaign.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, centre, in action during the pre-season friendly soccer match between Barcelona and Girona at the Johan Cruyff Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)MADRID – Lionel Messi will be there when Barcelona starts its season on Sunday, just as he has been for the last two decades. After all, never before had Messi told the club that he wanted to leave, and never before had Messi been forced to stay. Some of those questions may start being answered on Sunday when Barcelona opens its Spanish league season against Villarreal at the Camp Nou. The result thrust Barcelona into one of its worst crises ever, and led Messi to make public his desire to leave.

A worker holds a shirt with the name of Barcelona soccer player Lionel Messi at a F.C Barcelona store in Barcelona, Spain on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. Barcelona is banking on a face-to-face meeting with Lionel Messi to try to convince him to stay. Talks with Messis father-agent are expected this week in Barcelona but the club also hopes to sit down with the player himself. Messi invoked a clause that allowed him to leave for free at the end of the season, but Barcelona said the clause expired in June. But so far no word from Messi on anything, and as he keeps quiet, Barcelona keeps reeling.

(Rafael Marchante/Pool via AP)Barcelona is banking on a face-to-face meeting with Lionel Messi to try to convince him to stay. Talks with Messis father, who is also his agent, are expected this week in Barcelona, but the club also hopes to sit down with the player himself. Barcelona and Messi have yet to talk directly since the Argentine said last week that he wanted to leave the club. The humiliating defeat on Aug. 14 capped a complicated season for Barcelona, the first without a title since 2007-08. Barcelona reiterated its stance that it wants Messi to remain with the club and that it is not planning to negotiate his transfer.

Lionel Messi has told Barcelona he wants to leave the club after nearly two decades with the Spanish giants. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)MADRID In another sign that Lionel Messis time with Barcelona is coming to an end, the player did not report for required coronavirus testing scheduled for the whole squad on Sunday. Barcelona said Messi was the only player who did not undergo the tests at the clubs training center. Messi last week expressed his desire to leave the club, but Barcelona wants him to play out the contract that ends in June 2021. The 33-year-old Messi had been outspoken about the club's poor decisions this season, its first without a trophy since 2007-08.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi during the Champions League quarterfinal match between FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez/Pool)MADRID Lionel Messis surprise decision to leave Barcelona has dealt a blow to the clubs restructuring project even before it began. What might have upset him the most was the decision to get rid of Luis Surez, Messis longtime teammate and friend. With its aging team, Barcelona endured one of its toughest seasons, the first without a title since 2007-08. A lengthy legal batter would further hurt Barcelonas restructuring project, as would Messis departure without any financial compensation.