Lionel Messi has formally told Barcelona he intends to leave the club this summer, according to reports in Spain.
Barcelona’s talisman was weighing up his future in the wake of a dismal end to the campaign and the appointment of Ronald Koeman as head coach.
Koeman was hopeful he could convince Messi to stay at Barcelona, but it appears recent changes have not been enough to assure the Argentina international to remain at the Catalan club.
TYC Sports claim Messi informed Barcelona via burofax, a fax, that he wanted to leave the club and referred the board to a clause in his contract which lets him depart for free at the end of each season.
The 2019/20 campaign had to be rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic and only officially ended last Sunday after the completion of the Champions League final.
The clause allows Messi to terminate his deal at Barcelona at the end of each season rather than leave the club for his reported £632million buy-out.
Barcelona will counter that the clause expired in May, but Messi’s lawyers believe it can be extended due to the season ending at a later date.
Spanish outlet RAC 1 claim Messi is particularly furious with Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu, who has dodged calls for his resignation.
Bartomeu sacked sporting director Eric Abidal and head coach Quique Setien in the wake of the 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
The Barcelona chief also brought forward the presidential elections to March, but Messi is convinced there can be no improvements at the club while Bartomeu is at the helm.
