Barcelona legends Carles Puyol and Luis Suarez tweet support for Lionel Messi as unhappy superstar requests transfer
BARCELONA legends like Luis Suarez and Carles Puyol are tweeting their support for transfer-seeking great Lionel Messi.
Long-serving superstar Messi, 33, faxed Barca on Tuesday, claiming a clause in his contract allows him to leave for free.
Former Nou Camp and Spain skipper Puyol, 42, who was Messi's club-mate for nine years, posted: "Respect and admiration, Leo. All my support, friend."
Striker Suarez, 33, responded with two emojis of clapping hands.
And in fact the Uruguay star is thought to be one of the reasons Messi wants to leave.
The Argentina hero was reportedly unhappy when new manager Ronald Koeman told him veterans such as Suarez could be ousted following the 8-2 Champions League quarter-final hammering by Bayern Munich.
Messi interrupted a family holiday for that discussion with Koeman.
And he was said to be upset when details of their private conversation seemed to have been made public.
Now, though, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner and Barca icon could be set for a legal fight over his departure bid.
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The wobbling LaLiga giants believe Messi only had until June 10 to activate an exit clause by telling them he wants to leave.
If they are right, Messi would still be tied down until 2021 with a €700m buy-out clause - about £630million.
But Messi argues his get-out-free clause should be extended as the coronavirus lockdown took the season all the way into this month.