If seeing their club go trophyless for the first time since 2008 has not broken Barcelona fans yet, then the news that Lionel Messi has asked to leave the club will definitely do.
According to multiple reports, Messi has decided to end his time at the Camp Nou as he has had enough with the way the club is being run.
It was a disastrous 2019/2020 season for Barcelona as they ended the campaign without a trophy for the first time in 14 years.
The Champions League was the club’s priority this season, but they were dumped out embarrassingly, losing 8-2 to eventual winners, Bayern Munich.
Europe’s premier club competition has always eluded Barca since they won it in 2015. The last three seasons saw them exit the competition disappointingly.
Despite taking commanding leads in the first legs against Roma and Liverpool, Barca capitulated in the second legs, losing on away goals rule to Roma and 4-3 on aggregate to Liverpool to go out in the 2017/2018 and 2019/2020 respectively.
Although they won the Spanish topflight title in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 season, it appears Messi has had enough with some of the decisions that led the club to this state.
After collecting a world record fee of 220 million euros for the services of Neymar in 2017, Barca have brought in the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and Phillipe Coutinho big money.
However, neither have failed to fill in the void left by the Brazilian star. The 8-2 defeat at the hands of Bayern appears to be the last straw for Messi.
Although it led to the sacking of Quique Setien with Ronald Koeman brought in as his replacement, it’s still not enough to convince Messi to stay.
According to reports, the Argentina international is expected to release a statement on Tuesday night that would explain the reason for his decision.
Rumor is that both Messi and the club will release statements tonight.
It's currently 9pm in Barcelona.
— total Barça (@totalBarca) August 25, 2020
Manchester City, Paris Saint Germain and Inter Milan are some of the clubs that have already been linked with a mover for the magician.
Let Him Go so that Barcelona can think right. No player is indespensible. Barcelona is a famous club with Clear tradition and culture. 1 player is doable without, The Management should get this right.