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Barcelona legendary forward Lionel Messi faxed the club on Tuesday about his wish to exercise a clause in his contract which enables him to leave freely this summer.
The clause says that if Messi informs the club of his desire to leave before June 10, he will be able to achieve that.
Barca board responded that the clause has expired as it is already late August now, but Messi argued that the expiration was due to the season being delayed by the global pandemic.
What believed to have triggered Messi's decision was the painful loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinal on August 14, in which Barca were defeated 8-2.
The 33-year-old Argentina international has been the Ballon d'Or winner six times, and won four Champions League title since joining Barca in 2004.
Fans gather outside of Nou Camp await for news of Messi in Barcelona, Spain, August 25, 2020. /VCG
Fans camped outside of Barca's stadium, Nou Camp, in support of Messi's decision after the news broke.
A legal battle is due to begin between the club and the player.
Messi's former teammate, Barca legend and captain Carles Puyol wrote on Twitter, "Respect and admiration, Leo. All my support, friend," to which current team-mate Luis Suarez replied with two clapping emojis.
Under the terms of the contract which expires in 2021, the only way Messi can leave without the club's consent is if a rival side pays his release clause of 700 million euros (828 million U.S. dollars).
(CGTN)
