Lionel Messi’s era at FC Barcelona is about to end. As the club confirmed on Tuesday evening, the 33-year-old captain announced in writing that he wanted to leave Barça after 17 professional years. The radio station Zero Wave According to Messi’s decision, it is irrevocable. He also does not plan to appear at the beginning of next week for the start of training.
Messi’s decision follows the 8-2 disaster in Lisbon against Bayern in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. But it is based on a deep anger about the politics of the Barça leadership. It became known days ago that Messi had told the Dutchman Ronald Koeman, who had just been appointed as coach, that he had doubts about his whereabouts. On Monday it was leaked that Koeman Messi’s best friend at Barça, Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, announced in an apparently cool one-minute phone call that he had no future at Barça. Apparently that was the droplet that made a bulging barrel overflow: Less than 24 hours later, Messi announced that he wanted to leave the club. Immediately. And free.
In Messi’s contract, there is a transfer clause of 700 million euros. But: There is also a time window fixed for each year in which Messi can unilaterally dissolve the contract and ultimately go free. He must declare that he wants to go before the deadline of May 31. Barças Legal Department believes that the deadline for Messi’s unilateral termination has expired this year. He is bound until 2021. Messi argues that the spirit of this clause is written to apply after the season is over. Due to the Corona break, the season has been extended until this August. So he could pull the clause now. A series of Fifa decisions would confirm his interpretation of the legal situation. This threatens a legal battle.
A tweet from Catalan President Quim Torra showed how much they are prepared to say goodbye to what is probably the greatest player in club history. “Catalonia will always be your home. Thank you for all these times of bliss and exceptional football. We have been fortunate to share some years of our lives with the best player in the world and a noble athlete. We will never forget you. ” Club legend Carles Puyol also tweeted a farewell message: “Respect and admiration, Leo. All my support, friend,” wrote his former captain. Among other things, he won three Champions League titles for Barcelona with Messi. Luis Suárez also responded with applause on Twitter. Meanwhile, the former Oasis singer and Manchester City fan Liam Gallagher spoke up in England with a dream. “The Messiah is on his way to Manchester City.”
Admittedly, on Tuesday evening it was unclear where Messi could go. His annual net salary is 50 million euros. Should he actually go on a free transfer, the number of clubs that could sign him increases. Inter Milan was last mentioned, the Messis have acquired luxury real estate in the Lombard capital, the club is in the hands of a financially strong Chinese investor. Manchester City has done feasibility studies; there is Pep Guardiola coach, who celebrated his greatest successes with Messi. It is also speculated that Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are considering a Messi signing.
The Argentine led Barça, founded in 1899, to 33 titles, scoring 633 goals in 731 games. His time at FC Barcelona so far was by far the most successful period for the club, which not only showered Messi with money, but also brought its own annual turnover to a billion euros. Should Messi really leave Barcelona, the 8-2 win against Bayern would go down in history as Messi’s last game for Barça.
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