Lionel Messi has told Barcelona that he wants to leave the club this summer, according to ESPN sources and reports out of Argentina.
The Associated Press reported on Tuesday the club confirmed that the Argentina great has sent a note expressing his desire to leave.
Messi, 33, has a contract until 2021 but has grown disappointed with events on and off the pitch at Camp Nou in recent months. The 8-2 Champions League humiliation at the hands of eventual winners Bayern Munich proved the final straw and he has now informed the club of his desire to embark on a new challenge following a first trophy-less season since 2007-08.