Messi Asks To Leave Barcelona Sending Club into Chaos

Last night, distressed fans gathered outside of FC Barcelona’s offices. An emergency meeting of club execs has been called. The source of the pandemonium is a message from the club’s star player Lionel Messi, stating his intention to leave the team.

🔴 🔵 Los seguidores entonan el himno del Barça

➡️ El director ejecutivo, Oscar Grau, ha sido el último en salir

➡️ Guardia Urbana, Mossos d'Esquadra y el personal de seguridad aseguran que Bartomeu no está dentro pero los aficionados no se lo creen

📻 @partidazocope pic.twitter.com/ZyOwmsqEen

— Víctor Navarro (@victor_nahe) August 25, 2020

Messi, who has been with the club his entire career and widely regarded as one of the best players in the history of the game, sent his request to leave Barcelona via burofax, which businesses in Spain use to send secure messages that will be legally recognized. Barcelona replied with another burofax, stating their desire to keep him on the team for the remainder of his career.

As more information comes, it seems all but certain that his time with the storied club is coming to an end. Messi’s legal team appears to be fighting tooth and nail for his departure. They’re arguing that he should be free to leave immediately without his €700 million release clause due to the extended season brought on by coronavirus.

💥 Informa @partidazocope

📑 Leo Messi se quiere ir por

📌 No se fía de la directiva

📌 No les ve competentes para revertir la situación

📌 Les ve incapaces de montar un equipo competitivo

📌 No le ha gustado el trato a algunos compañeros, entre ellos Suárez#PartidazoMessi pic.twitter.com/uH3M3uhLFV

— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) August 25, 2020

There’s no doubt that clubs will be clamoring to sign the six-time Ballon d’Or winner. It will cost a hefty sum to sign the Argentine superstar, as Barca was paying him over half a million euros a week. Clubs speculated to try and acquire him purely based on purse size include Manchester City, Manchester United, and PSG.

Bartomeu i la seva Junta han de dimitir immediatament.

Han anat minant la moral de #Messi per salvar-se ells del desgavell econòmic i esportiu que han creat.

Si dimitissin encara hi hauria esperança que Messi es quedés al #Barça

— Joan Laporta Estruch🎗 (@JoanLaportaFCB) August 25, 2020

Criticism surrounding Barcelona’s management has been building for years, and losing their best player in franchise history is sure to add fuel to the fire. Unless some amicable negotiation happens soon, this battle between Messi and the front office looks likely to stretch out.

This story is developing – check back for updates.