[Brother Leon]

Lionel Messi hands in Barcelona transfer request
By Guillem Balague
Spanish football writer


Forward Lionel Messi has asked to leave Spanish giants Barcelona this summer.

The Argentina international, 33, sent a fax to the club on Tuesday saying he wishes to exercise a clause in his contract, allowing him to leave for free with immediate effect.

Barca were beaten 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals on 16 August.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner made his debut for Barca in 2004 and has won the Champions League four times.

Barcelona, though, believe the clause has now expired and Messi is contracted to the club until 2021 with a 700m euro buy-out clause.

The board will meet soon and the only thing that could placate Messi is the resignation of the president and early elections.

Abu Dhabi City FC or Qatar FC bound.