Sergio Aguero insists there is NOT a Lionel Messi-related exit clause in his Barcelona contract and denies Argentina team-mate had anything to do with his deal before leaving for PSG

  • Sergio Aguero joined Barcelona after his Manchester City contract expired
  • Argentine compatriot Lionel Messi was said to be key reason he joined the club
  • There had been suggestions that he wanted to leave after Messi signed for PSG
  • He denied the existence of a Lionel Messi-related release clause in his contract

Sergio Aguero has insisted that a Lionel Messi-related exit clause in his Barcelona contract does not exist. 

The Argentine forward, who joined Barcelona in the summer as a free agent after his deal with Manchester City ended, was said to be attracted to the club to play alongside his good friend Messi

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So when Messi was unable to re-sign with Barcelona and joined PSG on a free transfer, Aguero was said to be disgruntled and there was even whispers of cancelling his contract. 

Sergio Aguero insists there was no Lionel Messi-related clause in his Barcelona contract
Messi was said to be one of the key reasons Aguero joined but he was signed by PSG on a free

But the 33-year-old striker says there was never any such release clause and he remains fully committed to his new club despite Messi's departure.  

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'I don't understand why there was talk of this. When I signed, Leo had nothing signed. They were coming to an agreement', he told RAC1.

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

When asked whether he wants to face Messi in the Champions League, he added: 'I've already faced Messi, but it would be very nice. Now... we know that when Leo turns on the light it's impossible to stop him.'

Aguero is yet to play for Barcelona and is recovering from a serious injury to his calf

Bolivia certainly found that to be the case on Thursday night as he scored a hat-trick to surpass Pele's South American international goalscoring record of 77.  

Aguero has signed a two-year deal at the Nou Camp but is yet to make his debut for the club due to a serious calf injury. 

At the start of August, Barcelona issued an update about when fans could expect to see him in action, an estimate of 10 weeks. 

But Aguero believes he could be back before then, adding: 'I'm fine. There's no forecast of when I'll be back, but I'm moving forward and maybe I can shorten some weeks of recovery.

Messi scored a hat-trick against Bolivia to go past Pele's international goal tally of 77

And even though there is a Messi-shaped hole in the squad, Aguero still expects the team to compete for silverware. 

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He continued: 'We have very good players. Those who have left are important, but even so Barca have plenty of players to cover it up,' he added.

'Just because we are Barca we have to fight for all the titles. I don't think we are favourites for the Champions League, but our rivals have respect for us.'