Messi had been silent since the loss to Bayern, though, raising doubts about his future. Sporting director Éric Abidal, who was criticized by Messi, left the club last week. Messi had been outspoken about his dissatisfaction with some of Barcelona’s decisions this season, talking about the team’s problems and contesting club directors. The defeat capped a difficult season for Barcelona - the first without a title since 2007-08 - and ignited one of its worst crises ever. Messi’s announcement came 11 days after Barcelona’s humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern in the Champions League quarterfinals, one of the worst defeats in the player’s career and in the club’s history. The 33-year-old Messi has won a record six Ballon d’Or awards during his time at Barcelona as the top player in the world, and has helped the club win 10 Spanish league titles and four Champions League crowns. However, only a handful of clubs could realistically afford to pay his wages even without a transfer fee - with mega-rich Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City widely seen as perhaps the most likely destinations. If Messi can leave for free, he will have no shortage of suitors. It would be terribly sad if it finished with a fight between the player and the club.” “He’s been fiercely loyal and their greatest ever player. “If Messi is to leave Barcelona by activating a release clause, then I hope the club (tries) to help, not hinder him,” former England and Barcelona striker Gary Lineker said on Twitter. The Spanish season would normally have ended in May but was pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic. Messi’s contract also includes a 700 million euro ($826 million) buyout clause. However, the club said the deadline for triggering that clause expired in June and that it would seek legal advice.
The dispute centers around a clause in Messi’s contract.īarcelona said the document sent by Messi referenced a clause allowing him to leave for free at the end of the season. Barcelona said it told Messi in response that it wants him to stay and finish his career at the club. But the club hinted that a legal battle could be coming and said it won’t automatically grant the Argentina great his wishes. Messi told Barcelona on Tuesday that he wants to leave after nearly two decades at the club, having grown unhappy after a trophy-less season ended with a humiliating loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.īarcelona confirmed to The Associated Press that Messi sent the club a document expressing his desire to leave. Messi was the La Liga top scorer four years straight from 2016-2020 and has consistently provided his club with the highest season average, even beating the current all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo.BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - After dozens of titles, hundreds of goals and countless records, Lionel Messi’s spectacular career at Barcelona could be coming to an abrupt end.
Although, football experts continue to question whether Messi is actually the greatest footballer of all time, there is no doubt that he is the highest paid footballer in the world according to a 2020 Forbes article – Messi's current 2020-2021 season salary totals at $92 million in addition to his lifelong deal with Adidas and endorsements bringing in $34 million leaving his total earnings at $126 million.īut the immense price tag for the Barcelona player comes with a list of benefits, specifically his ability to score goals.
Arguably the best football player in the world, Lionel Messi is recognised for his outstanding achievement of being awarded the Ballon d'Or (regarded as the oldest and most prestigious football award) six times, as well as being the all-time record holder of the Golden Boot award (winning it six times also).