La Liga

FURIOUS Barcelona fans took to the streets outside the Nou Camp to insist the club keep Lionel Messi.
Angry supporters congregated at the club’s stadium and protested against president Josep Maria Bartomeu, demanding his resignation.

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Barcelona fans congregated outside the Nou Camp to show their support for Lionel MessiCredit: AFP or licensors

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The Argentine icon has decided he wants to quit the club after a series of fallouts with the hierarchy Credit: Reuters
It is understood the board will meet imminently with some colleagues calling for Bartomeu to quit from his position – and all on Messi’s side may get their wish with reports that the president will indeed step down.
Board members Jordi Moix, the economics and assets vice president, and treasurer David Bellver have already allegedly offered their resignation.
Messi told the directors he has decided he is going to quit after a major fallout – with their treatment of Luis Suarez thought to be the final straw.
Ex-Liverpool star Suarez, 33, has reportedly been told by Koeman he will be sold this summer and Messi, one of his best mates, is fuming and wants out.

Former Nou Camp and Spain skipper Carles Puyol, 42, who was Messi’s club-mate for nine years, publicised his allegiance: “Respect and admiration, Leo. All my support, friend.”
Striker Suarez, 33, responded with two emojis of clapping hands.
But Barcelona fans are understandably desperate for the Argentine to stay.
So they made their feelings known by directing obscene gestures – aimed for Bartomeu – at the stadium as well as holding up ‘Messi 10’ replica shirts in support of their beloved hero.

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Fans – plus one Tottenham supporter – directed their anger with finger gestures aimed at the stadiumCredit: Reuters

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One fan looks on wearing a ‘Messi 10’ shirt in honour of his heroCredit: EPA
‘MESSI SI BARTO NO’
Some chanted: “Bartomeu, dimissió,” meaning, “Bartomeu, dismissed.”
Others sang: “Please Messi don’t leave, we all love you here,” to the captain who joined La Masia aged 13 and has scored a record 634 goals for their team.
The hashtag “#MessiSiBartoNo” – literally meaning “Messi yes, Barto no” – is trending.
Marca claims the Argentine does not want to continue under new boss Ronald Koeman following Barcelona’s embarrassing 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
And Guillem Balague adds Messi has a “clause that he had agreed in his last contract by which he can go for free”.
He says Barcelona believe the clause expired at the end of June, meaning Messi’s £630million buyout fee stands, but the superstar is convinced it is still active until the end of August due to the coronavirus crisis.
Barcelona legend Messi, 33, has been tipped to move on after entering the final year of his contract.
Manchester City are believed to be keen on the Argentine forward and there is strong interest from Inter Milan as well. Ladbrokes have City as 5/2 favourites, with Inter at 3/1, Manchester United at 6/1 and PSG at 7/1.

Messi reportedly held crunch talks with Koeman just one day after the Dutchman replaced Quique Setien.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner informed his new gaffer that he plans on leaving the Nou Camp for a new adventure.
And it’s now claimed the forward has confirmed his wishes to club chiefs ahead of the new LaLiga season.

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The treatment of Luis Suarez is thought to be the final straw for MessiCredit: AP:Associated Press

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Bartomeu is under pressure to quit from his position as president of the club while two board members reportedly resignedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

ESPN FC’s Sid Lowe gives his verdict on Messi’s controversial Barcelona exit, says he’s not ‘calling Bartomeu’s bluff’ More

BARCELONA legends like Luis Suarez and Carles Puyol are tweeting their support for transfer-seeking great Lionel Messi.
Long-serving superstar Messi, 33, faxed Barca on Tuesday, claiming a clause in his contract allows him to leave for free.

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Carles Puyol has tweeted an accolade to fellow Barcelona great Lionel Messi, who has asked to depart the LaLiga giantsCredit: Reuters

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Former Nou Camp and Spain skipper Puyol, 42, who was Messi’s club-mate for nine years, posted: “Respect and admiration, Leo. All my support, friend.”
Striker Suarez, 33, responded with two emojis of clapping hands.
And in fact the Uruguay star is thought to be one of the reasons Messi wants to leave.
The Argentina hero was reportedly unhappy when new manager Ronald Koeman told him veterans such as Suarez could be ousted following the 8-2 Champions League quarter-final hammering by Bayern Munich.

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Luis Suarez is thought to be a factor in Lionel Messi wanting to leave – as the Argentina ace was unhappy the Uruguay star could be oustedCredit: EPA
Messi interrupted a family holiday for that discussion with Koeman.
And he was said to be upset when details of their private conversation seemed to have been made public.
Now, though, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner and Barca icon could be set for a legal fight over his departure bid.

The wobbling LaLiga giants believe Messi only had until June 10 to activate an exit clause by telling them he wants to leave.
If they are right, Messi would still be tied down until 2021 with a €700m buy-out clause – about £630million.
But Messi argues his get-out-free clause should be extended as the coronavirus lockdown took the season all the way into this month.

Messi set for sensational Neymar reunion at PSG as Champions League finalists enter transfer battle with Juventus and Inter More

BARCELONA want to sell star man Lionel Messi this summer.
That’s according to ex-president Joan Laporta, who has also branded the club’s axing of Luis Suarez as an “act of cowardice.”

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Ex-president Joan Laporta says Barcelona want to sell Lionel MessiCredit: AP:Associated Press
Barcelona are in turmoil after sacking Quique Setien in the wake of their 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.
Ronald Koeman has been brought in to steady the ship.
But it’s reckoned he’s ready to cut a number of big names aside in his quest to restore normality to the Nou Camp.

Barcelona legend Messi, 33, has been tipped to move on after entering the final year of his contract.

Manchester City are believed to be keen on the Argentine forward.
And there is strong interest from Inter Milan as well.

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Laporta has slammed Barca’s treatment of Luis SuarezCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Meanwhile, ex-Liverpool star Suarez, 33, has reportedly been told by Koeman he will be sold this summer.
There are believed to be a number of Premier League clubs in the hunt, with former side Ajax and David Beckham’s Inter Miami also involved.

Laporta, who helped establish Barca as Europe’s top side between 2003 and 2010, has now laid into the current “incompetent” hierarchy as he prepares a bid for office again.

He reckons, contrary to reports in Spain, that Barcelona ARE plotting to sell fan favourite Messi.
And Laporta also believes Suarez has been treated extremely poorly after some incredible years of service to the club.
Laporta tweeted: “They have told Suarez they don’t want him by telephone.

“That seems an act of cowardice and a lack of respect towards the player.
“It’s an unacceptable way for the club to behave and it harms the image of the club.
“I suspect they want to sell Messi. Poor Barca in the hands of these incompetents.”

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Laporta is running for president at the Nou Camp yet againCredit: EPA

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman says he doesn’t know if he has to convince Messi to stay More

LIONEL MESSI has reportedly made his mind up and will soon tell Barcelona whether he will stay or go.
Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are circling with intent ahead of the biggest decision in the striker’s career.

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Lionel Messi is set to reveal his future plans in the coming daysCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
In over 15 years in the Blaugrana first-team, the 33-year-old has never appeared as likely to leave the club as he does now.
The turmoil sparked by Barcelona’s shocking 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League could be about to send Messi out of the exit door.
Big questions are being asked of the direction of the club with the South American only tied to a one-year contract.
And Argentine outlet Diario Ole report that Messi has made a decision on his future, which will be communicated to the LaLiga giants in the coming days.

Barcelona are due back for pre-season training next Monday but one of the striker’s best pals is not set to stay much longer.
New coach Ronald Koeman has reportedly told Luis Suarez he is no longer needed at the Camp Nou.

The manner of his exit is said to have upset the Uruguayan forward, who has already fired a barb in the direction of under-fire club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Any further sign that Messi wants out would send the Catalans into meltdown, amid calls for Bartomeu to resign.
Manchester City are thought to be weighing up a contract offer and whether he would breach their Financial Fair Play spending allowance.
Meanwhile, former Inter owner Massimo Moratti reckons his old club are keen to bring the forward to Milan.

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Man City are the favourites to sign Messi this summer

And Thomas Tuchel has said that Messi would be “very welcome” to replace outgoing forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in his PSG squad.
Talks between Messi and Barcelona are understood to have taken place after the star cut short his Pyrenees holiday to meet Koeman.
The Dutchman has already admitted a degree of nervousness over his talisman’s future – stating that he “doesn’t know” if he can convince Messi to stay.

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