Angry Barcelona fans chanted for the resignation of club president Josep Maria Bartomeu after captain Lionel Messi announced on Tuesday that he wished to leave the Catalan side.

“We love you, Messi stay, Messi stay!” and “Bartomeu resign!” chanted several hundred fans outside Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium on Tuesday night.

“I am very upset, for me Barca is Messi and Messi is Barca. They are the same, he is the symbol of Barca ... They should erect a monument in Camp Nou. I don’t think this (departure) should be allowed to happen,” 80-year-old Joana Polo, wearing a Barcelona face mask, told Reuters on Wednesday outside Camp Nou.

The decision by the Argentine forward has thrown the club into turmoil less than two weeks after their humiliating 8-2 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich.

“It’s a huge outrage. I never thought this would ever happen ... you can take defeats in sports but I can’t handle Messi leaving,” said Oriol, 40. “We will defend him until death. He is not the one to blame. The blame is on (Barcelona’s) board.”

“Total War!” daily newspaper Sport declared on its front page referring to the situation.

Messi, who has been named world’s best player of the year a record six times, has grown increasingly unhappy over the last 12 months on how the club is being run under Bartomeu. He criticised club officials for forcing players to take a pay cut to cope with the financial hit of the coronavirus pandemic.

Albert, 28, another disgruntled Barca fan, told Reuters: “They have been doing things badly for a long time and this guy (Messi) has got tired of not having a project, of not keeping the philosophy we used to have ... and he said enough is enough.”

“The only situation available right now is for him (Bartomeu) to resign.”

After Barca surrendered the Spanish La Liga title to Real Madrid in July, Messi slammed the team as “weak” and “vulnerable” during an uncharacteristically fiery post-match interview.

Barca are in the midst of overhauling their squad following the Champions League defeat, and some Spanish media have reported that new coach Ronald Koeman told Messi’s close friend and strike partner, Luis Suarez, that he does not wish the Uruguayan to stay at the club.

Angry Barcelona fans chanted for the resignation of club president Josep Maria Bartomeu after captain Lionel Messi announced on Tuesday that he wished to leave the Catalan side.

Angry Barcelona fans chanted for the resignation of club president Josep Maria Bartomeu after captain Lionel Messi announced on Tuesday that he wished to leave the Catalan side. “We love you, Messi stay, Messi stay!” and “Bartomeu resign!” chanted several hundred fans outside Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium on Tuesday night. “I am very upset, for me Barca is Messi and Messi is Barca. They are the same, he is the symbol of Barca ... They should erect a monument in Camp Nou. I don’t think this (departure) should be allowed to happen,” 80-year-old Joana Polo, wearing a Barcelona face mask, told Reuters on Wednesday outside Camp Nou. The decision by the Argentine forward has thrown the club into turmoil less than two weeks after their humiliating 8-2 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich. “It’s a huge outrage. I never thought this would ever happen ... you can take defeats in sports but I can’t handle Messi leaving,” said Oriol, 40. “We will defend him until death. He is not the one to blame. The blame is on (Barcelona’s) board.” “Total War!” daily newspaper Sport declared on its front page referring to the situation. Messi, who has been named world’s best player of the year a record six times, has grown increasingly unhappy over the last 12 months on how the club is being run under Bartomeu. He criticised club officials for forcing players to take a pay cut to cope with the financial hit of the coronavirus pandemic. Albert, 28, another disgruntled Barca fan, told Reuters: “They have been doing things badly for a long time and this guy (Messi) has got tired of not having a project, of not keeping the philosophy we used to have ... and he said enough is enough.” “The only situation available right now is for him (Bartomeu) to resign.” After Barca surrendered the Spanish La Liga title to Real Madrid in July, Messi slammed the team as “weak” and “vulnerable” during an uncharacteristically fiery post-match interview. Barca are in the midst of overhauling their squad following the Champions League defeat, and some Spanish media have reported that new coach Ronald Koeman told Messi’s close friend and strike partner, Luis Suarez, that he does not wish the Uruguayan to stay at the club.

Barcelona fans chant for Messi to stay, want management out

With Lionel Messi making his stance clear that he wants to leave Barcelona after spending nearly two decades with the Catalan club, Manchester City have been touted as favourites to sign the Argentine megastar. However, there are plenty of complications in regards to Messi’s transfer – his whopping wages, a mind-boggling EUR 700 million release clause, free exit clause which apparently expired in May 2020, a possible FIFA ban and much more.&nbsp;

While any club in the world would want to have Messi on their team sheet, signing the six-time Ballon d’Or may not be as easy as it sounds. Even though Barcelona want to keep Messi and continue their sporting project with the ‘best player in the world’, the left-footed maestro is now looking at a new challenge.&nbsp;

If Messi walks out of Barcelona citing an exit clause which allows him to leave for free at the end of every season, the Catalan club would be left in a mess. Reports have stated that the exit clause had expired on May 31, 2020 but Messi’s entourage says that the season has been extended to August due to COVID-19 pandemic. However, if Messi leaves for free without resolving the contract dispute, he could be banned by FIFA for months.&nbsp;

TRENDING:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/lionel-messis-next-team-clubs-who-can-really-afford-to-sign-the-argentine-323423" hreflang="en">Lionel Messi's next team: Clubs who can really afford to sign the Argentine</a>

"If it ended up anywhere, it would be most likely in the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber because Messi, being Argentinian, the FIFA rules would apply, and FIFA has its own set of laws and rules," De Marco, of Blackstone Chambers, told The Transfer Show on Sky Sports News.

"So, it's unlikely to be Spanish law or English law or Swiss law but it would be the FIFA rules that apply, and they have a commission that can determine these things,” said Nick De Marco QC who has the experience of representing governing bodies, players and agents in such issues.

"Ultimately, either party can then appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. That's how these sorts of issues are normally dealt with. One possibility, and it's certainly not one I'm advising anybody, is a player simply just walks out and says, 'I'm entitled to walk out, so I'm walking out'.

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"The risk with that strategy is, although FIFA will normally allow the registration to move with the player, if the club then brings a claim and succeeds, not only is the player liable to [pay] damages but also is likely to be banned under FIFA rules for a period of months and the new club signing him have a transfer embargo.

"It's such a high-risk strategy that, unless you were sure that the player was in the right, it's not a risk one would take. You have to read the contract as a whole," he explained. "Even if it's a date, and the date is the date, if that's linked to other provisions that show what the parties really meant was the end of the season, then there's still an argument it's the end of the season.”:

Man City are reportedly eager to shell out around EUR 200 million for Messi if the player and Barcelona come to an agreement of compensating his release. &nbsp;However, there is still likelihood that the matter could be taken to court if Barcelona demand the entire EUR 700 million release clause.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/adios-lionel-messi-323161" hreflang="en">Adios, Lionel Messi?</a>

<h2>There are three situations if the conflict is taken to court:</h2>

1)&nbsp;FIFA can order the Spanish football federation to issue an international transfer certificate pending a resolution.

2)&nbsp;A major risk for the club signing Messi will be that if the court finds the ruling in Barcelona’s favour then they would be liable to pay his EUR 700 million release clause. If it is in Messi’s favour, then it would a jackpot – a free transfer.

3) The final option would be that adjudicators fix a mutual fee. 
&nbsp;

With Lionel Messi making his stance clear that he wants to leave Barcelona after spending nearly two decades with the Catalan club, Manchester City have been touted as favourites to sign the Argentine megastar.

With Lionel Messi making his stance clear that he wants to leave Barcelona after spending nearly two decades with the Catalan club, Manchester City have been touted as favourites to sign the Argentine megastar. However, there are plenty of complications in regards to Messi’s transfer – his whopping wages, a mind-boggling EUR 700 million release clause, free exit clause which apparently expired in May 2020, a possible FIFA ban and much more. While any club in the world would want to have Messi on their team sheet, signing the six-time Ballon d’Or may not be as easy as it sounds. Even though Barcelona want to keep Messi and continue their sporting project with the ‘best player in the world’, the left-footed maestro is now looking at a new challenge. If Messi walks out of Barcelona citing an exit clause which allows him to leave for free at the end of every season, the Catalan club would be left in a mess. Reports have stated that the exit clause had expired on May 31, 2020 but Messi’s entourage says that the season has been extended to August due to COVID-19 pandemic. However, if Messi leaves for free without resolving the contract dispute, he could be banned by FIFA for months. TRENDING: Lionel Messi's next team: Clubs who can really afford to sign the Argentine "If it ended up anywhere, it would be most likely in the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber because Messi, being Argentinian, the FIFA rules would apply, and FIFA has its own set of laws and rules," De Marco, of Blackstone Chambers, told The Transfer Show on Sky Sports News. "So, it's unlikely to be Spanish law or English law or Swiss law but it would be the FIFA rules that apply, and they have a commission that can determine these things,” said Nick De Marco QC who has the experience of representing governing bodies, players and agents in such issues. "Ultimately, either party can then appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. That's how these sorts of issues are normally dealt with. One possibility, and it's certainly not one I'm advising anybody, is a player simply just walks out and says, 'I'm entitled to walk out, so I'm walking out'. TRENDING | What's next for Lionel Messi? A record breaking career in pictures "The risk with that strategy is, although FIFA will normally allow the registration to move with the player, if the club then brings a claim and succeeds, not only is the player liable to [pay] damages but also is likely to be banned under FIFA rules for a period of months and the new club signing him have a transfer embargo. "It's such a high-risk strategy that, unless you were sure that the player was in the right, it's not a risk one would take. You have to read the contract as a whole," he explained. "Even if it's a date, and the date is the date, if that's linked to other provisions that show what the parties really meant was the end of the season, then there's still an argument it's the end of the season.”: Man City are reportedly eager to shell out around EUR 200 million for Messi if the player and Barcelona come to an agreement of compensating his release. However, there is still likelihood that the matter could be taken to court if Barcelona demand the entire EUR 700 million release clause. ALSO READ: Adios, Lionel Messi? There are three situations if the conflict is taken to court: 1) FIFA can order the Spanish football federation to issue an international transfer certificate pending a resolution. 2) A major risk for the club signing Messi will be that if the court finds the ruling in Barcelona’s favour then they would be liable to pay his EUR 700 million release clause. If it is in Messi’s favour, then it would a jackpot – a free transfer. 3) The final option would be that adjudicators fix a mutual fee.

'FIFA ban' looming for Lionel Messi? Argentine's contract situation decoded

Lionel Messi's next team: Clubs who can really afford to sign the Argentine

After Barcelona’s humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the quarter-final of UEFA Champions League 2019-20, the impossible looked reality. Will Lionel Messi leave Barcelona after this shambolic performance by the Spanish giants? Since then, Barcelona have appointed a new head coach in Ronald Koeman, a club legend as a player but media reports have hinted that Messi is done with his time in Barca.&nbsp;

While Koeman has said he would like to keep the Argentine maestro in the club, latest reports suggest that English club Manchester City are ‘crunching numbers’ to see the possibility of bringing Messi to the Etihad Stadium. Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel also welcomed the idea of signing the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.&nbsp;

With Man City escaping a ban after winning their FFP case against UEFA in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the English club would be really careful about their financial spending and hence, are looking at the numbers closely so that they don’t find themselves in trouble, should the dream transfer go ahead.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bayern-munich-10-psg-uefa-champions-league-final-all-the-action-in-pictures-322813">Bayern Munich 1:0 PSG, UEFA Champions League Final: All the action in pictures</a>

Furthermore, Pep Guardiola, who nurtured Messi to become the best in the world in Barcelona, has the opportunity to work with the little magician once again after their splendid success with the Catalan club in the past. However, a EUR 700 millon release clause makes thing pretty difficult not only for Man City but other clubs who aspire to sign Messi. While Messi is 33-year-old now with only a year left on his contract, Barcelona, in all probability, will play a hard ball.&nbsp;

Interestingly, Koeman is also believed to have had a chat with Guardiola over the Messi saga.&nbsp;

“I am very close with Pep Guardiola and I am still in contact with him now. Pep told me that Messi wants to win, he wants to win everything. And if he doesn’t win, he can get very annoyed. I am looking so much forward to work with him. I have to make sure that Messi will be able to function well in this team, and that he feels important. He is the captain of this club!”

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ronaldinho-released-from-paraguay-after-five-months-of-detention-322946" hreflang="en">Ronaldinho released from Paraguay after five months of detention</a>

“He has to finish his career here. Messi is Barcelona and Barcelona is Messi”, Koeman added. “Of course he is disappointed, I would be too if I lost 8-2. If he wouldn’t be in this emotional state, then it would be worrying.”

It remains to be seen if Messi leaves Barcelona in the ongoing summer transfer window or not. 
&nbsp;

After Barcelona’s humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the quarter-final of UEFA Champions League 2019-20, the impossible looked reality. Will Lionel Messi leave Barcelona after this shambolic performance by the Spanish giants?

After Barcelona’s humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the quarter-final of UEFA Champions League 2019-20, the impossible looked reality. Will Lionel Messi leave Barcelona after this shambolic performance by the Spanish giants? Since then, Barcelona have appointed a new head coach in Ronald Koeman, a club legend as a player but media reports have hinted that Messi is done with his time in Barca. While Koeman has said he would like to keep the Argentine maestro in the club, latest reports suggest that English club Manchester City are ‘crunching numbers’ to see the possibility of bringing Messi to the Etihad Stadium. Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel also welcomed the idea of signing the six-time Ballon d’Or winner. With Man City escaping a ban after winning their FFP case against UEFA in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the English club would be really careful about their financial spending and hence, are looking at the numbers closely so that they don’t find themselves in trouble, should the dream transfer go ahead. IN PICS | Bayern Munich 1:0 PSG, UEFA Champions League Final: All the action in pictures Furthermore, Pep Guardiola, who nurtured Messi to become the best in the world in Barcelona, has the opportunity to work with the little magician once again after their splendid success with the Catalan club in the past. However, a EUR 700 millon release clause makes thing pretty difficult not only for Man City but other clubs who aspire to sign Messi. While Messi is 33-year-old now with only a year left on his contract, Barcelona, in all probability, will play a hard ball. Interestingly, Koeman is also believed to have had a chat with Guardiola over the Messi saga. “I am very close with Pep Guardiola and I am still in contact with him now. Pep told me that Messi wants to win, he wants to win everything. And if he doesn’t win, he can get very annoyed. I am looking so much forward to work with him. I have to make sure that Messi will be able to function well in this team, and that he feels important. He is the captain of this club!” ALSO READ: Ronaldinho released from Paraguay after five months of detention “He has to finish his career here. Messi is Barcelona and Barcelona is Messi”, Koeman added. “Of course he is disappointed, I would be too if I lost 8-2. If he wouldn’t be in this emotional state, then it would be worrying.” It remains to be seen if Messi leaves Barcelona in the ongoing summer transfer window or not.

Will Lionel Messi leave Barcelona? Man City 'crunching numbers' for Argentine maestro

Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who joined from Italian champions Juventus this summer, said on Sunday that he is "fine" after his new club revealed he had tested positive for coronavirus.

"Fortunately, I am fine and asymptomatic," Pjanic wrote on Instagram.

"But if there's something I've learned, it's that we must never take anything for granted, not even the things we think of as being the most normal.

"The lives we are living now teach us that."

Barca had announced earlier on Sunday that Pjanic had tested positive after feeling "a little unwell", adding that he was in "good health" and self-isolating at home.

Pjanic will "not be travelling to Barcelona for 15 days, when he will be expected to report for duty with the FC Barcelona team," Barca's statement said.

The Bosnia international, who is reported to be on holiday in Italy, will therefore miss the start of pre-season training on August 31 under new coach Ronald Koeman.&nbsp;

The 2020-21 La Liga campaign is due to begin September 12.

Pjanic, 30, was signed in June by Barca for 60 million euros ($70.7 million) as part of an arrangement which saw Brazilian midfielder Arthur move in the opposite direction for 72 million euros.&nbsp;

He is the third Barca player to test positive for COVID-19 following French defensive pair Samuel Umtiti and Jean-Clair Todibo.

Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who joined from Italian champions Juventus this summer, said on Sunday that he is "fine" after his new club revealed he had tested positive for coronavirus.

Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who joined from Italian champions Juventus this summer, said on Sunday that he is "fine" after his new club revealed he had tested positive for coronavirus. "Fortunately, I am fine and asymptomatic," Pjanic wrote on Instagram. "But if there's something I've learned, it's that we must never take anything for granted, not even the things we think of as being the most normal. "The lives we are living now teach us that." Barca had announced earlier on Sunday that Pjanic had tested positive after feeling "a little unwell", adding that he was in "good health" and self-isolating at home. Pjanic will "not be travelling to Barcelona for 15 days, when he will be expected to report for duty with the FC Barcelona team," Barca's statement said. The Bosnia international, who is reported to be on holiday in Italy, will therefore miss the start of pre-season training on August 31 under new coach Ronald Koeman. The 2020-21 La Liga campaign is due to begin September 12. Pjanic, 30, was signed in June by Barca for 60 million euros ($70.7 million) as part of an arrangement which saw Brazilian midfielder Arthur move in the opposite direction for 72 million euros. He is the third Barca player to test positive for COVID-19 following French defensive pair Samuel Umtiti and Jean-Clair Todibo.

Barca newcomer Pjanic 'fine' after positive coronavirus test

New Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has warned that players who show lack of commitment or professionalism will be kicked out of the club as he promised to lead the team back to good days after their 8-2 humiliation by Bayern Munich in UEFA Champions League quarter-final.&nbsp;

“What we need to do is give a different image to what we gave against Bayern, that’s not the Barca we or the fans want to see,” Koeman said at his presentation after signing a two-year deal with Barca.

“You have to be very happy wear the Barca shirt. You have to show that with commitment, professionalism, with everything you have inside. If we do that, the image will be totally different to what it was last week.”

Koeman, who helped Barcelona win their first European Cup in 1992 during a golden six-year-spell in Johan Cruyff’s Dream Team, quit his role as the Netherlands coach to take the charge at Nou Camp.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-2020-21-fixtures-when-do-the-big-six-lock-horns-321956" hreflang="en">Premier League 2020-21 fixtures: When do the 'Big Six' lock horns?</a>

The Dutchman said that the Barcelona was his home and dream while admitting it is not the easiest of time to get back to his former club, who suffered their first trophy-less season in 12 years.&nbsp;

“We’re going to work very hard to build a strong team but we’ll have to make changes because the image of the other day is not what we want. We’ll have to work hard to recover our prestige,” he said.

“It’s a big challenge and it won’t be easy because Barca always demands the best of you, which is the way it should be.

“Barca are still the biggest club in the world. Now we have to work hard to make sure Barca gets back to where they should be. There is enough quality in the team to demand the best results and to win trophies.”

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/demba-ba-urges-football-to-stand-up-over-chinas-uighurs-321867" hreflang="en">Demba Ba urges football to 'stand up' over China's Uighurs</a>

However, Koeman didn’t reveal the name of players who would be shown the door while making it clear he wanted players who were fully committed.&nbsp;

“I don’t want to mention names, we have to look in the club’s best interests and make the best squad possible to try and win games,” he said.

“There are players of a certain age who you can start to doubt, although a player who is 31, 32 or even 33 is not necessarily finished, it all depends on your hunger and whether you want to give everything for the club.

“I only want to work with players who want to be here, and if they are not happy here then they should say so. I only want people who are going to give everything for Barca.” 
&nbsp;

New Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has warned that players who show lack of commitment or professionalism will be kicked out of the club as he promised to lead the team back to good days after their 8-2 humiliation by Bayern Munich in UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

New Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has warned that players who show lack of commitment or professionalism will be kicked out of the club as he promised to lead the team back to good days after their 8-2 humiliation by Bayern Munich in UEFA Champions League quarter-final. “What we need to do is give a different image to what we gave against Bayern, that’s not the Barca we or the fans want to see,” Koeman said at his presentation after signing a two-year deal with Barca. “You have to be very happy wear the Barca shirt. You have to show that with commitment, professionalism, with everything you have inside. If we do that, the image will be totally different to what it was last week.” Koeman, who helped Barcelona win their first European Cup in 1992 during a golden six-year-spell in Johan Cruyff’s Dream Team, quit his role as the Netherlands coach to take the charge at Nou Camp. ALSO READ: Premier League 2020-21 fixtures: When do the 'Big Six' lock horns? The Dutchman said that the Barcelona was his home and dream while admitting it is not the easiest of time to get back to his former club, who suffered their first trophy-less season in 12 years. “We’re going to work very hard to build a strong team but we’ll have to make changes because the image of the other day is not what we want. We’ll have to work hard to recover our prestige,” he said. “It’s a big challenge and it won’t be easy because Barca always demands the best of you, which is the way it should be. “Barca are still the biggest club in the world. Now we have to work hard to make sure Barca gets back to where they should be. There is enough quality in the team to demand the best results and to win trophies.” ALSO READ: Demba Ba urges football to 'stand up' over China's Uighurs However, Koeman didn’t reveal the name of players who would be shown the door while making it clear he wanted players who were fully committed. “I don’t want to mention names, we have to look in the club’s best interests and make the best squad possible to try and win games,” he said. “There are players of a certain age who you can start to doubt, although a player who is 31, 32 or even 33 is not necessarily finished, it all depends on your hunger and whether you want to give everything for the club. “I only want to work with players who want to be here, and if they are not happy here then they should say so. I only want people who are going to give everything for Barca.”

Show commitment or leave: Ronald Koeman promises to revive Barcelona

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