- We want to build a team around the most important player in the world.

On Tuesday, several media reported that Messi was tired of the situation in Barcelona and that he asked to be released from his contract, which expires next summer.

Messi's first contract with the club almost 20 years ago was written on a napkin after lunch. But yesterday Messi sent a so-called "bureau fax" to the club to inform that he wants to leave. It can be compared to a registered letter and does not necessarily have to be sent with a fax machine, which many on social media made fun of during the day.

But it is clear that Messi did not call or meet anyone in Barcelona's management in person.

Uncertainties about clause

Messi invokes a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for free after the end of the season.

But Barcelona believe that the clause expired on June 10, which means that Messi missed the deadline and would have to pay the clause of 700 million euros if he wants to leave before his contract expires in June 2021.

But Messi could argue that the spirit of the clause is that it would expire at the end of the season, a season that this year was moved back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Several Barcelona supporters gathered outside the Camp Nou on Tuesday night to show their frustration after the news that Lionel Messi had asked to leave the club.

Protests following the news of Messi

The information that Messi wants to leave the Spanish big club has been circulating for a while, but now that it is serious, the fans have acted.

Movies on social media show how supporters hang outside the gates of the home arena where they call for Messi to stay, while they demand the resignation of club chairman Josep Maria Bartomeu, according to AS.

Eleven days ago, Barcelona was beaten in the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich by 2-8.