Messi Is Leaving Barcelona. Everything You Need to Know About the Summer's Biggest Football Sensation

Why, how much, and where to?

Rumors that Lionel Messi's days at Barcelona were numbered began almost immediately after the painful exit of the Catalan giant from the Champions League at the hands of Bayern — the Germans, who went on to win the tournament, sent Quique Setién's team home after hammering it 8 goals to nil. The club's leadership reacted a couple of days later, making changes in the coaching position for the second time this season, but by then the six-time Ballon d'Or winner had already made his decision.

First, the news was reported by Marcelo Bechler — a journalist with Esporte Interativo who three years ago stunned everyone with his insider report on Neymar's upcoming transfer to PSG. Then, on August 25, when Barcelona told the Associated Press about a letter sent to the club by the team captain, everything became official. It became clear that Messi really is leaving.

What is Leo unhappy about?

First, Messi does not believe in a bright future for the club under president Josep Maria Bartomeu. After the fiasco against Bayern, the Argentine finally lost hope that with this team he could consistently win at club level again. Amid the failures with the Argentina national team, the 33-year-old global star simply does not have time to wait for new head coach Ronald Koeman to rebuild the club.

Another reason for Messi's dissatisfaction is reportedly the club's desire to part ways with Luis Suárez in this transfer window. The Uruguayan is not only Leo's longtime teammate on the pitch, but also one of his closest friends in everyday life: they regularly visit restaurants in Barcelona together with their families and vacation together.

From a footballing standpoint, parting ways with the 33-year-old Suárez can be considered justified — after all, both age and injury history matter. However, the fact that the Uruguayan was told this over the phone came as a shock not only to him, but also to Messi.

What does Messi want?

In the letter sent to the club, the Argentine says he wants to terminate his contract, which runs until next summer, citing a clause in the agreement that allows him to do so unilaterally.

The problem is that the player had to activate this clause in the contract by June 10. Messi's representatives, however, point to the fact that the 2019/2020 season was not played on the traditional schedule due to COVID-19, and want this clause to remain active after the season actually ends.

What about Barcelona?

Despite demands from club fans that Bartomeu step down as president (they have been active not only on social media but also outside Camp Nou, where they staged a protest), and rumors that part of the board of directors is also opposing him, Bartomeu himself is in no hurry to resign.

Although the media is already listing possible successors to the club's current head, Bartomeu appears to be preparing to show his authoritarian side. According to beIN SPORTS correspondent Achraf Ben-Ayad, the president has no intention of selling Messi, let alone letting the player go for free with a release clause (a fixed buyout sum for terminating the contract — ed.) of 700 million euros.

Messi himself is not commenting, and he is expected to skip the team's gathering for PCR tests on Sunday on the advice of his lawyers. According to the latest data, his representatives have already requested an official meeting with the club's leadership to resolve the situation peacefully. One option is lowering the buyout amount to one that, given Messi's personal contract, someone could actually afford.

Where will Messi continue his career?

The obvious favorite in the race for one of the best players in football history (if not the best) is Manchester City. The Mancunians, backed by money from the UAE (in particular from Sheikh Mansour, one of the richest people on the planet), can afford both Messi's salary and negotiations with Barca over the buyout amount. Financial Fair Play, as the recent case of their possible ban from European competitions showed, is not a threat to them, so there are no problems there.

Second, a move to City would allow Messi to become part of a big and fairly successful project under old acquaintances from Barca — sporting director Txiki Begiristain and, of course, head coach Pep Guardiola.

Although Manchester City have so far refused to comment on the rumors, Mundo Deportivo claims that the Citizens are ready to offer Messi a three-year contract at the Etihad, followed by two more years with New York City, the MLS (American soccer league — ed.) sister club.

The possible Messi transfer is naturally associated not only with Man City — everyone from young to old has joked about it on social media, and Jürgen Klopp even had to publicly admit that his Liverpool could not afford such a transfer. Among the more or less realistic options, Inter were also mentioned (people even recalled Messi's father buying a house in Milan, but that has a different reason — tax benefits — ed.), as well as Manchester United and Chelsea, but City really have only one real rival right now — PSG.

Reports say that two main stars of the Champions League finalists, Neymar (Leo's former partner at Barca) and Ángel Di María (a teammate with the national team), have already reached out to Messi, trying to persuade him to move to Paris. According to France Football, PSG sporting director Leonardo also contacted Lionel's father, Jorge, to confirm the French club's interest in the player's services.

In financial terms, Paris is also in complete order: crazy investments from Qatar are flowing in, and with FFP, after parting ways with the high-earning Edinson Cavani and Thiago Silva, they will surely be able to resolve the issue.

One should not rule out a scenario in which Messi is forced to stay at Barca for one more year — if Bartomeu, relying on a strong hand in legal matters over a possible contract termination, digs in and holds out in this fight, then either 700 million has to be raised, or the club must prepare for legal battles and possible bans, both for the player and for the club that enters into a relationship with him.

Nevertheless, everything points to Messi ending up in England after all. Given the 19-year history full of victories with Barca, Leo will somehow sort out the situation, otherwise even the club's own fans would not understand. As for the choice between PSG and Man City, France Football claims that Messi's father thanked Leonardo for the interest but declined, saying Leo had already chosen Manchester City.

Whether that call actually took place, and whether Messi had already discussed with Guardiola a move to the English Premier League — will become known for certain later. But right now, everything really is pointing to Lionel Messi becoming a City player. And perhaps he will show what he is capable of on a cold, rainy evening in Stoke.

Vasily Obaraz, TK Media