Messi-related release clause not part of my contract, insists Aguero

Sergio Aguero denied the presence of any get-out clauses in his Barcelona contract relating to Lionel Messi.

Aguero, who scored a club-record 260 goals in 389 appearances for Manchester City, arrived at Camp Nou on a two-year contract following a free transfer from Pep Guardiola’s men.

He was expected to link up with international colleague Messi before the Blaugrana legend departed on a free to Paris Saint-Germain, the Blaugrana’s financial issues preventing them from re-signing six-time Ballon d’Or winner after his contract expired, thus ending a 21-year spell at the Catalan club.

After Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets agreed to pay cuts, Ronald Koeman’s side were able to meet salary-cap restrictions and register Aguero and their other new signings.

The Argentina forward has now quashed any rumours that any so-called “Messi clause” was in his contract.

“I don’t understand why there was talk of this,” Aguero told RAC1. “When I signed, Leo [Messi] had nothing signed. They [Messi and Barca] were coming to an agreement.

“It was invented that there was a clause, but there was nothing.

“I didn’t ask Leo much either, I didn’t want to bother him.

“I saw him at the Copa America, he told me that they were about to agree, and I thought, good!

“But I didn’t want to bother him every day either. I didn’t speak any more after the Copa America and I was shocked when everything happened.”

The 33-year-old enjoyed a stunning decade at the Etihad Stadium, but only managed seven league starts in 2020-21, playing 559 minutes across 12 appearances.

His final campaign at City was hampered by coronavirus-related issues and injuries, but when Barcelona came knocking, Aguero could not refuse.

“When I was no longer at City and the talks with Barcelona came, I knew how the club was doing financially but I told my agent that I didn’t care about money, that I wanted to come and play,” he continued.

“Money is not a problem. What I was getting paid at City, I wasn’t going to get paid here. Any player wants to play for Barca.

“Of course I would sign again, without a doubt. If someone from Barca calls you … the name of the club … many players are willing to give up money.”