Lionel Messi ‘tells Barcelona’s hierarchy he wants to leave this summer after becoming frustrated’

Lionel Messi ‘tells Barcelona’s hierarchy he wants to LEAVE this summer after becoming frustrated’ following dismal Champions League defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich

  • Lionel Messi cut a disillusioned figure in Barcelona’s defeat to Bayern Munich 
  • Esporte Interativo claim he is demanding an immediate move away this summer 
  • Messi has grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of planning at Barcelona
  • He has also become isolated after they failed to win the two major trophies 
  • The report comes from the same source that broke Neymar’s 2017 move to PSG 

Lionel Messi has told Barcelona he wants to leave the club this summer following their Champions League failure on Friday, according to reports in Brazil.

Messi cut a disillusioned figure as the Catalan giants crashed out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage in Lisbon after suffering an 8-2 hammering by Bayern Munich.

It has reportedly led Messi to consider his future – and Brazilian outlet Esporte Interativo claim that he is demanding an immediate exit having grown frustrated at the lack of planning at the club and caused him to lose faith in their sporting plans. 

Lionel Messi has reportedly told Barcelona he wants to leave the club immediately

The Argentina star cut a desolate figure as Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League

The Argentina star cut a desolate figure as Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League

The report – which comes from the same source that first reported Neymar’s move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 – adds that Messi has become more isolated at the club than ever before after his wait for his first Champions League title since 2015 continued on Friday.

Messi also cut a desolate figure last month after his side were pipped to the LaLiga title in by arch rivals Real Madrid, which was their first league title since 2017.

The 33-year-old criticised his team-mates after conceding the title to Zinedine Zidane’s side and warned them they would have to perform much better in Portugal this month.

Messi is unhappy with the direction president Josep Bartomeu is taking the Spanish club

Messi is unhappy with the direction president Josep Bartomeu is taking the Spanish club

He is also isolated after Quique Setien's side failed to win LaLiga or the Champions League

He is also isolated after Quique Setien’s side failed to win LaLiga or the Champions League

But despite a Messi-inspired performance seeing them past Napoli, they were embarrassed by the Bundesliga champions to leave Messi further frustrated. 

In the long-term, Messi has spent 12 months battling club president Josep Bartomeu and the Nou Camp hierarchy regarding the direction the club is heading in currently.

The news comes after reports that Manchester City believe that they are best placed to sign the Argentina star.

The report claimed Man City would pay ‘whatever it takes’ to lure him over to the Etihad Stadium and reunite with former manager Pep Guardiola.

It comes after reports that Pep Guardiola's Man City are doing whatever it takes to sign him

It comes after reports that Pep Guardiola’s Man City are doing whatever it takes to sign him

City could however face competition from Inter Milan, with their former director Massimiliano Mirabelli claiming his signing ‘is more than a dream’ for the club. 

But City’s reportedly believe that they will be at the front of the queue if the six-time Ballon d’Or winner decides to seek a new challenge.  

But Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness believes city rivals Manchester United should make a sensational move for Messi.

He told The Times: ‘This would be the perfect week to put a bid in for the 33-year-old Argentinian and I could easily see him playing in Manchester — at either United or City.’ 

Antonio Conte's Inter Milan have also been heavily linked with a move for the Argentine star

Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan have also been heavily linked with a move for the Argentine star

Messi has spent his entire professional career with Barca, but with one year  remaining on his contract he could be eyeing the exit door.

He has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for free at the end of every season but that expired at the end of May.

His current £635million buy-out clause is a concern for most potential suitors, but Barcelona may be forced to sacrifice their most precious asset to make bring about the desired summer overhaul at the Catalan outfit.

Mundo Deportivo reported that the club only consider Messi and four others as unavailable for transfer, but their hand could be forced if Messi pushes for a move. 

Messi's current £635million buy-out clause is a concern for most potential suitors this summer

Messi’s current £635million buy-out clause is a concern for most potential suitors this summer


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