Lionel Messi's father has dropped a bombshell on the situation surrounding his son's contract with FC Barcelona.
Messi has been linked with a sensational exit from Barcelona since handing a transfer request at the end of last month, and reportedly believes that a clause in his contract allows him to leave for on a free transfer.
Barca have disputed the validity of this clause and instead insist that the six-time Ballon d'Or winner is still contracted to the club until the end of next season, and that his €700 million (R1.3 billion) release clause remains in effect.
LaLiga have since become involved in the issue and, upon the league seeking its own legal advice, sided with the club's position on the stipulations of Messi's contract.
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The player's father, Jorge, who is also his agent, met with club representatives earlier in the week in order to bring the dispute a resolution and has now dropped a new bombshell on the saga surrounding Messi's future.
In a letter that has been widely circulated on social media, Messi Snr. denies the existence of the release clause and stressed that LaLiga have erred in siding with the club in this instance.
"We do not know which contract they [LaLiga] have analysed, and which are the bases on which they conclude that it would have a termination clause applicable in the event that the player decides to the unilateral termination of the same," he said.
"This one about the €700m release clause must be an error on LaLiga's part."