FC Barcelona has confirmed that Lionel Messi has informed the club about his intention to leave, the Associated Press has reported.
Reuters has quoted a club source, also saying that Messi has told Barcelona he wants to leave.
According to the source, the 33-year-old Messi, who joined the club in 2000 and has spent his entire career there, informed the club about his intention by sending a burofax, a service used in Spain to urgently send a document that requires proof to third parties.
An emergency meeting has been called with the Barcelona board in the wake of Messi's formal request to terminate his contract.
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) August 25, 2020
As if it's actually happening! 😳😳😳
[Via @Alfremartinezz] pic.twitter.com/PSoxnOfBpx
Messi's contract with Barca was set to expire in 2021.
The club is having urgent talks to discuss the situation, according to Catalan-language radio station RAC1.
Lionel Messi has asked Barcelona to accept a clause in his contract that would allow him to move on a free this summer. The club are holding an emergency meeting to discuss the issue, reports @rac1 🚨 pic.twitter.com/dGI6DITayL
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 25, 2020
