Barcelona legend Carles Puyol has bid Lionel Messi farewell ahead of his imminent departure from Barcelona. Reports from Spain on Tuesday indicated that the 33-year-old Argentine superstar had finally dropped the bombshell to exit the Catalonia club with immediate effect.
After spending nearly two decades at the club, Messi is aiming to secure a move elsewhere and begin a new chapter. The six-time Ballon d'Or winner led Los Blaugrana to a trophyless 2019/2020 campaign which was culminated with an 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Dissatisfied with the performance of the technical team and club hierarchy, the Barca skipper was rumored to be considering a future out of the club. Nevertheless, Roland Koeman - upon being unveiled as the new manager of Los Blaugrana - ruled out the depart of his side's No.10, stating that he was central to the forthcoming project.
Upon meeting the Dutchman in the past few days to discuss his future, Messi has reportedly opted for a way out. According to TyC Sports in Argentina, he has told FC Barcelona via fax that he wants to leave the club on a free transfer as a clause in his contract permits him to do so prior to the start of a new season.
Leo Messi wants to activate the clause to leave Barcelona immediately, as FCB also confirmed. Barcelona position is still so clear: Messi has a 700 million euros release clause, the "free clause" has expired in June. Board reunited to take decisions on next days. #FCB #Messi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 25, 2020
The alteration of the league schedule as a result of the coronavirus pandemic has changed the dynamics of clause which, under normal circumstance, expired in June. As such, Messi believes he still has a claim to force a move out despite Barca's season ending in August instead of May.
A legal standoff is purportedly in the offing as the Catalans aim to hold onto their most-prized asset. Relatively, the Argentine superstar has been linked with moves to Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain with his departure now looking certain.
In line with the development, ex-Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has sent a farewell message to his former teammate ahead of his purported exit. The 42-year-old Spaniard, in a tweet, stated: "Respect and admiration, Leo. All my support, my friend." This was followed by an applaud reaction from Luis Suarez.
— Luis Suarez (@LuisSuarez9) August 25, 2020
The Barcelona board is expected to meet in the coming days to discuss the way forward for Messi. However, multiple reports from the Spanish media suggest that the player will have a change of heart if club president Josep Maria Bartomeu finally decides to resign.
More to follow...
