The meeting, held late on Wednesday night, finally took place at the end of a day in which Messi's father - also considered to be his representative - replaced his son as the focus of attention after flying to Barcelona in the early hours of the morning, reports Xinhua news agency.

 

He was greeted at the airport by the press, while there were also reporters and cameramen waiting at the offices of the Leo Messi Foundation, where he went after leaving the airport.

 

Dozens of reporters waited at the entrance to the Camp Nou stadium and Jorge was even followed to the restaurant where he had lunch.

 

All Messi Senior told the press was that he knew "nothing" but that he believed it would be "difficult" for his son to remain at Barcelona, where he has spent the last 20 years.

 

That was apparently the posture he maintained in his meeting lasting approximately an hour and a half with Bartomeu who, according the El Mundo Deportivo newspaper, offered to extend Messi's contract -- due to expire in June 2021 -- until the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

 

That offer was rejected, with Jorge Messi insisting that his son's current contract means he can leave Barcelona for free during the current transfer window. Barcelona continue to reject that interpretation and they and La Liga insist that Messi's release clause of 700 million euros must be met if the player is to leave the club.

 

As if to underline its position, Barca launched its new first team kit for the 2020-21 season on Wednesday, with Messi taking pride of place in publicity photos and the club shop filled with Barcelona shirts with 'Messi 10' printed on the back.

 

The new La Liga season is due to kick off in Spain in nine days' time, but this saga looks set to run for longer than that.