Messi has already left Barcelona – Valdano
Former Argentina international Jorge Valdano does not see Lionel Messi continuing his career at Barcelona. Manchester City appear to be favourites to land Barça superstar.
Lionel Messi is already mentally out of the door at Barcelona and is sure to continue his career elsewhere, believes Jorge Valdano.
Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi did not take part in Barça's first day of pre-season training under Ronald Koeman on Monday, having informed the club of his desire to leave.
City leading the race for Messi
The Argentina international believes a clause in his contract allowing him to leave on a free transfer has been activated, though the club and LaLiga are of the opinion his €700million release clause remains the only valid way to terminate his deal, which runs until next June.
Manchester City are thought to be leading the race to sign Messi, with Paris Saint-Germain and Inter also credited with significant interest.
Former Real Madrid forward, head coach and director general Valdano, who began his playing career at Messi's boyhood club Newell's Old Boys and won the 1986 World Cup with Argentina, is confident the 33-year-old's future lies away from Camp Nou.
"Either he goes to another club or to his home, but he has already left Barcelona. I am totally convinced. I have no doubt," he said on Onda Cero show El Transistor.
"The sooner Barcelona realise they are going to lose the best player in their history, the sooner they can focus on rebuilding."
Could Messi remain at Barcelona?
It has been suggested Messi could perform a U-turn on his decision to leave Barça, as he did after announcing his international retirement in the wake of Argentina losing the Copa America Centenario final to Chile in 2016.
"They are completely different situations because there is no contract or anything similar when Leo left the Albiceleste and returned," Valdano said.
"There are no personal problems. I don't know how far this period is going to go, which is toxic for the club, player and LaLiga.
"[Barca president Josep Maria] Bartomeu must think that when Messi leaves, he should go too… but prolonging this seems to me to be harmful to Barca."