Photo: Getty ImagesCaptain Lionel Messi has told Barcelona he wishes to leave the club immediately, a source confirmed today. 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 ($NZ1.2 billion). The second source said the player's lawyers had informed the club that Messi wished to unilaterally rescind his contract in line with a clause in his contract. "The club considers that the contract is fully binding until 30 June 2021," added the second source. Former Barca captain Carles Puyol backed Messi's wish to leave the club by writing on Twitter: "Respect and admiration, Leo.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 25, 2020 19:52 UTC