Lionel Messi tells Barcelona he wants to leave for free

Lionel Messi has told FC Barcelona that he wants to leave the club now. Per TyC sports, the Argentine sports channel, the player's decision is made and he faxed it to the club.

Messi had a release clause that allowed him to leave for free at the end of the season. In theory, that expired during June, and clubs will have to pay his 700 million euro release clause to sign him.

SPORT colleague Veronica Brunatti says the same as TYC, with Messi's theory being that the season ended in August instead of June as expected because of the coronavirus, so he thinks he can execute it before August 31.

Barcelona would have to go to court with Messi, the best player in their history, if they do not accept the decision.

Carles Puyol backed Messi, saying on Twitter that he had "respect and admiration" for the forward, while Luis Suarez, who has been told he can leave, applauded that with emojis on the social networking site.

The 33-year-old forward’s contract expires in 2021, but he does not want to stay for the upcoming season as Barcelona rebuild.

He told Ronald Koeman in a call that he had doubts about staying and after his friend Suarez was told he was not needed, along with several other first-team players, he has decided to leave.

Messi came to the club as a teenager and grew up in the Catalan capital, at La Masia, before going on to become their top goalscorer and best ever play.

Where Messi will go next is unclear, if he can indeed leave the club, with few sides able to pay the salary he commands.

Inter Milan have been strongly linked, while PSG, Man City and Man United are also options.