Messi told Koeman he sees his future away from Barcelona

Lionel Messi has reportedly informed new Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman of his desire to sever ties with his boyhood club.

Messi cut his holiday short for discussing his Barcelona future with newly-appointed Ronald Koeman.

During an emergency meeting held in the Blaugrana headquarters, the 33-year-old wizard told the new coach that he is closer to leaving than staying, according to Spanish outlet RAC1.

The Dutch tactician has already tried to emphasize how vital the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is to Barcelona during his first press conference after the appointment.

But, Koeman’s efforts to retain Messi seems to be bearing no fruits.

The news of Messi’s inexorable desire to leave Camp Nou after 24 years emerged in the wake of an 8-2 thumping to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

A horror night at the Estadio da Luz marked the Argentinean’s fifth successive year without a European title, and the way his team lost to the German giants seems to have been the final straw.

Messi’s announcement to the club hierarchy immediately triggered a chain reaction that saw the Catalans relieve Quique Setien and sporting director Eric Abidal of their duties.

Additionally, almost the entire Barca squad is reportedly up for sale, as Josep Maria Bartomeu looks to shake things up a bit following a nightmare season.

Manchester City and Inter Milan are said to be leading the race for one of the best players to ever grace the game.