Argentine football star Lionel Messi has sent a letter to Barcelona informing the club that he wants to leave the team, a source close to the footballer has confirmed
Following the Catalan side’s humiliating 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu told Barca TV: “Messi has said many times that he wants to finish career at Barca.
“(He) is still the best player in the world, and we have him with us … A cycle is coming to an end and another one starts but in the Messi era.”
In July 2017, Barcelona and Messi announced a contract extension that would keep Messi with the team until June 30, 2021 and is reportedly worth €565,000 ($645,000) a week. Messi, 33, has been with the club since 2000.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner made his league debut for Barcelona in 2004. The Argentine has helped Barcelona win 10 league titles in his time at the club, as well as the Champions League four times, and he is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Former Barcelona defender Carles Puyol, who was captain and teammate to Messi, tweeted his support to the Argentine. “Respect and admiration, Leo,” wrote Puyol. “All my support, friend.”
