Transfer Centre

Lionel Messi 'has not asked to quit Barcelona'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 17 August 2020

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has reportedly not requested a move away from Camp Nou despite the crushing defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has not requested a move away from Camp Nou in the wake of La Blaugrana's Champions League exit, according to a report.

Following Bayern Munich's 8-2 victory over the Catalan giants in the last eight of the Champions League, reports suggested that Messi had informed Barcelona of his desire to leave the club this summer.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner has seen his future called into question on numerous occasions this season, and Messi is yet to pen a new deal at Camp Nou, with his current contract set to expire in 2021.

However, according to the Evening Standard, reports that Messi has asked for a move away from Barcelona are false, but there are still concerns over the Argentine's contract situation.

Messi is believed to have grown frustrated over the direction that the club is heading in, with manager Quique Setien expected to lose his job following a dismal end to the 2019-20 campaign.

Despite turning 33 in June, Messi demonstrated his importance to Barcelona with 31 goals and 26 assists across all competitions in the most recent season.