LIONEL MESSI is sure to leave Barcelona this summer, most likely for Manchester City, admits a Nou Camp presidential candidate.
Toni Freixa says the legend’s wish to go is “irrevocable” – despite a £630million release clause.
Barcelona all-time great Lionel Messi is standing firm on his desire to leave after faxing them his transfer request last weekCredit: AFP or licensors
Nou Camp presidential hopeful Toni Freixa believes there is no going back on Lonel Messi’s decision to leave Barcelona after 16 yearsCredit: AFP – Getty
And he any hope Messi might change his mind if current president Josep Maria Bartomeu quit is forlorn.
LaLiga chiefs upheld Barca’s argument that the 33-year-old missed a June 10 deadline to ask for a free exit this year, 12 months before his contract ends.
But Freixa, who is in the running to replace Bartomeu at the end of his term, told Goal: “As I have heard from several sides, the decision the player has come to is one that has matured over several years and is irrevocable.
“I don’t believe that there is any going back,”
City, bossed by Messi’s old Nou Camp manager Pep Guardiola, head PSG and Inter Milan in the battle for the Argentina superstar.
The one-club icon failed to turn up for Barcelona training on Monday.
Having already shown frustration before the coronavirus lockdown, Messi then saw Barca overhauled for the LaLiga crown by Real Madrid.
Even worse came with the 8-2 Champions League quarter-final humiliation at the hands of eventual winners Bayern Munich.
That saw boss Quique Setien sacked as the first stage in a much-needed rebuild.
But Messi was reportedly unhappy when incoming manager Ronald Koeman seemingly decided to dump striker Luiz Suarez, 33, as he looks to build a younger, fresher squad.
With Pep, Messi experienced his most brilliant years in Barcelona. It would be logical if they worked together again.
Toni Freixa
Freixia said: “I think a move to Man City is likely.
“With Pep, Messi experienced his most brilliant years in Barcelona. It would only be logical if both of them worked together again.
“City, like almost all English clubs, also has the financial means to build a team that can win anything.”
But Freixia believes medals, not money, is the motivation.
He said: “Messi is a player who strives for maximum success.
“He alone cannot achieve maximum success, he needs a team for that. He does not have one.
“Since the treble in 2015, Champions League success is missing. That is what concerns him.
“His decision is due to the negative sporting development of the team in recent years.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
