La Liga released an official statement declaring that Lionel Messi will have to pay his $833 million release clause in order to leave Barcelona.
Messi reportedly remains confident that he will be able to leave the club for free this summer, and that the clause is invalid for the final year of his contract.
La Liga\'s statement gives an added boost to Barcelona\'s claims.
Messi is set to skip the start of Barcelona\'s preseason training on Monday.