Messi Asks To Leave Barcelona

Even though it shouldn't really be THAT surprising, considering there have been hints in the media for what seems like a long time, I was surprised to read that Lionel Messi has finally asked Barcelona FC to release him.

Apparently, the Argentine has a clause in his contract which allows him to leave the club for free if he requests it at the close of a season.

I read that there might be some ambiguity over that particular term of the deal considering that - in regular circumstances - the end of the season and start of the following season are established. The pandemic has led to 2019/20 ending later than that and, therefore, makes it difficult to determine whether the new season has started already despite there being a delay for 2020/21 due to the, yes - you guessed it - pandemic.

Still, it's a crazy time in football. Messi has been with the club since he was a teenager and has become a worldwide star.

If he goes, there would be many clubs out there looking to add him to their rosters. Manchester City are the betting favourites followed by Inter Milan.

I can't help but think that Paris Saint-Germain will be in for him. 

The team missed out on the Champions League trophy over the weekend, has money to spend and might see Messi as the missing piece to bring them the trophy.