Lionel Messi Leaving Barcelona, Considering Manchester Transfer

In an ugly development in the Lionel Messi & club Barcelona case — Messi has informed Barcelona that he immediately wants to leave. Nothing could have been such an earth-shattering moment for Barcelona ever — letting the world’s topmost player go. The logic is clear — Messi, the top soccer player who has been responsible for taking Barcelona to these heights with his game and making the club the most valuable franchise around the globe, wants to leave today. What could be more shattering than this?

What led Messi to Leave Barcelona?

This decision came in a week after Barcelona was crushed to an 8-2 loss by Bayern Munich, in the Champions League quarter-finals. This was utterly humiliating for the club — since 2007-08, this was the first time that the club did not return with a title. All through the year, the club has faced several dysfunctional issues, and Messi deciding to leave the club is another of it.

Messi became a part of club Barcelona at the age of 13. It was when Barcelona sent an emissary to see Messi’s games in Rosario, Argentina (which is the champion’s hometown). The contract was signed between Messi & Barcelona on a napkin. Taking the charge of the club Messi played stupendously winning record six Ballon d'Or awards, and he has had to his name more assists & goals than any other player in the history of La Liga. Messi has brought the club 34 titles in 16 seasons, which makes for double that of the number of titles the club has won in 16 seasons before Messi was inducted into the club.

Barcelona's reaction to Messi Leaving the Club.

The club has responded to the superstar saying that they want him to stay, and get to the end of his career with Barcelona. Messi holds a contract with Barcelona, which is valid until 2021. But there have been disappointing events occurring in the club in the last few months, which has resulted in this ugly situation. This could be a nightmare for coach Ronald Koeman who has always wanted to be a part of the club.

Messi says there is some clause in the agreement, which allows the 33-year star to leave whenever he feels like. Messi has said to Barcelona that he wants to leave the club and that they should make him free. The clause which said that Messi could leave at the end of each season if ever he communicates his decision before June or the rival club would have to pay €700 million per the clause of release as mentioned in the contract that was signed in 2017.

Messi’s Manchester Move.

After leaving Barcelona there are speculations about Messi moving to Manchester City this summer. The city is working out if they can sign Messi without causing any financial breaches. After a conversation between Manchester City managers, Pep Guardiola & Messi — the City is pretty optimistic about this transfer. Guardiola & Messi have been together from 2008 to 2012, and they had a discussion on the move and the projects that await if this transfer happens finally.

Messi is considering a transfer to Manchester City — it’s up to the City to decide if it has all the money to make this transfer deal possible without breaching the UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules. The major part of this deal is going to be having a clear picture of whether Messi could leave Barcelona for free or the other team has to pay €700 million (per the clause). This is going to be a BIG loss for Barcelona — the club has to see how they are going to make up for this huge loss.