This Is The Year Messi Wants To Leave Barcelona For The First Time

JAKARTA - Lionel Messi was reportedly considering leaving Barcelona in 2004 when he was in talks with Jose Mourinho to join Chelsea.

The Argentine forward is willing to play under the Portugal coach he has been in contact with for a long time.

As revealed by journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, this is the first time Messi wants to leave Los Blaugrana. Although an agreement with Chelsea has not been reached.

The Barcelona captain stayed at the club and 16 years later, at the age of 33, decided to ask to be released.

President Josep Maria Bartomeu did not comply with his request and challenged potential applicants to pay Messi's 700 million euro release clause.

With one year remaining on his contract, the Argentina international made the decision to stay at the club.

However, there are rumors linking him to a move to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. We'll wait for next year.