Lionel Messi: Barcelona star hands in shocking transfer request

Lionel Messi Barcelona star hands in shocking transfer request

The Argentine looks to be on his way out from the Nou Camp after nearly two decades

Lionel Messi looks to have made up his mind about his future as he has handed in a shocking transfer request to Barcelona.

According to reports, Barcelona skipper has told the club his intentions to leave this summer. He had sent a fax to the Catalans requesting them to leave him for free.

However, Barca hierarchy is left in crossroads as his supposed clause – which will allow him to leave for free – has expired, meaning that Messi’s reported 700 million euros release clause is still active.

It was reported earlier that Messi had lost his faith in Josep Maria Bartomeu’s board although the new manager Ronald Koeman had tried to convince the star forward to stay at his boyhood club.

The decision from the Argentine comes shortly after the Champions League drubbing against Bayern Munich in the knockouts.

The reports also add that the Barca board have planned for an immediate meeting to try to prevent Messi’s exit from the Nou Camp.

Carles Puyol, Samuel Eto’o and his team-mate Luis Suarez have come in support of Messi through social media.

Manchester City, Manchester United, PSG and Inter Milan have now emerged as the potential destinations for the Argentine magician.

It is quite shocking to see Messi have decided to quit the club where he had played for nearly around two decades.