Chronicle Editor
Lionel Messi has been given permission by Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman to miss this weekend’s final La Liga match of the season against Eibar and take holiday, the club confirmed on Friday, meaning he may have played his last game for Catalan side.
The Argentine’s contract expires at the end of June and there has been no announcement on an extension.
He requested to leave the club last year and was linked by British and Spanish media with a move to Manchester City or Paris St Germain, but ultimately stayed put for one more season.
Should Messi not sign a new contract then his final game for the club would be last weekend’s dismal 2-1 defeat at the Camp Nou to Celta Vigo.
The 33-year-old has netted 30 times in La Liga this season and is set to win Spain’s Golden Boot – the Pichichi Trophy – however Koeman’s side can at best finish third, behind arch rivals Real Madrid and title favourites Atletico Madrid.
It is still unclear which club the Argentine star will move to at this stage. Rumours have linked him with a move to the Premier League to the likes of Manchester City or Manchester United. – Reuters
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