LIONEL MESSI was spotted in Barcelona for the first time since dropping the bombshell he wants to leave the Nou Camp.
He was captured leaving a restaurant with best pal Luis Suarez – whose future also remains up in the air.
Footage released by El Chiringuito TV, reveals Messi departing in a black vehicle while Suarez then follows separately.
It comes after the 33-year-old demanded Barca exercise a clause in his contract that would allow him to quit for nothing with immediate effect but the Spanish giants believe the stipulation expired expired on June 10, with the Argentine superstar under contract until the summer of 2021.
Club and player seem set for a legal battle over the clause, with Barcelona believing his €700m (£629m) buy-out clause is still valid. It has sparked a transfer battle between Europe’s rich list.
Manchester City, United, Chelsea, PSG and Inter Milan have all been linked with the Argentine superstar. But Suarez’s agent Alejandro Balbi, admitted the 33-year-old Uruguayan’s next step could be dependant on the outcome of Messi’s transfer saga.
Balbi told TyC Sports via Goal: “Messi’s future will have an influence because they are best friends. “There is a lot of brotherly love between them; they are inseparable, always together.”
Messi’s anger at the Barca board started after new manager Ronald Koeman ordered the Suarez to leave in a one-minute phone call.
Ajax have since confirmed their interest in signing the ex-Liverpool forward, who has also been linked to Inter Miami and Juventus.
Inseparable pair Messi and Suarez are now set to report to training at the start of next week, despite both facing a Barca exit.
Mirror
