Barcelona legend Leo Messi has expressed his desire to leave the Blaugranes on a free transfer while the club maintains that the transfer clause that would have allowed him to leave expired in June.
Messi reportedly reached the end of his patience with the club following the 8-2 thrashing by Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final match.
The news trigged Barca fans to gather outside Camp Nou to protest against president Josep Mario Bartomeu.
Predictably, the internet, now even more of an outlet for opinions due to the global pandemic, was absolutely abuzz with reactions to the news and we round up the best ones.
If Messi is to leave @FCBarcelona by activating a release clause, then I hope the club try to help, not hinder him. He’s been fiercely loyal and their greatest ever player. It would be terribly sad if it finished with a fight between the player and the club.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 25, 2020
Respeto y admiración, Leo. Todo mi apoyo, amigo.
— Carles Puyol (@Carles5puyol) August 25, 2020
Messi has every team from every sport on this planet asking him to join them and Ronaldo couldn't get 2 football teams to fight for him. pic.twitter.com/n6mMMiVaqw
— Leo Messi (@parshurampdl1) August 26, 2020
We are going to miss this master class.
Messi is simply the best. pic.twitter.com/TlnlkCLPPB— Abdul Usman (@itzkiddo_) August 26, 2020
Imagine: Kevin De Bruyne pumping crosses to Lionel Messi. And the fights over who will take the free kicks.
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) August 26, 2020
I'm not a Barcelona fan but with everything Messi have done for club they should just respect his decision and allow him to leave in peace.We all know he has done well for Barca #Messi pic.twitter.com/QAxb11QE8S
— haks virgiey (@hakinganga) August 26, 2020
Love of my life, you've hurt me
You've stolen my love, you now desert me#Messi pic.twitter.com/vzazwK96CY— Ali Riyadh (@ali_almousawi97) August 26, 2020
It is difficult to imagine Lionel Messi in another Jersey.
Please stay back legend #MessiQuedate pic.twitter.com/B5xDkTzJ0m— Pavan Reddy (@pavanreddy123) August 26, 2020
Actual Scenes at #Barcelona head office.#Messi pic.twitter.com/QBzRtFdnxg
— Rabin Shrestha (@10rabinshrestha) August 26, 2020
Manchester City watching Football clubs fighting to sign Leo #Messi pic.twitter.com/ZisshFYZsC
— Sthir (@SthirPokhrel) August 26, 2020
This guy is greater than football itself.
Already broke records on twitter and he is not even in twitter.
Hoping for the best #Messi#ManchesterCity pic.twitter.com/df94F4nfEQ— Lunatic Moheat (@LunaticMoheat3) August 26, 2020
Barcelona fans after Messi said he wants to go to man city pic.twitter.com/cXaq9atUfU
— (@Nelangsa_) August 26, 2020
Barcelona fans have gathered outside Camp Nou and are chanting "Bartomeu out!" pic.twitter.com/krYQ1Ctz6f
— Goal (@goal) August 25, 2020
We can’t see Barcelona without Leo,
bartomeu leave ..#Messistay #BartomeuOUT pic.twitter.com/WyQZe1ud3Y— FCB 4ever (@_mes_que_unclub) August 25, 2020
Messi’s last match at Barcelona will be the greatest humiliation the club suffered in its history. #BartomeuOut
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) August 25, 2020
#Messi is just like Mozart .. individuals born with a unique gift luckily for us .. both found their way to their "art" & they just excel above everyone else....#BartomeuOUT #BartomeuDimissio pic.twitter.com/kAiBW9Dt8m
— Tariq (@Messi10page) August 25, 2020
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Manu Fernandez
