It has been confirmed that Lionel Messi has opened negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain hours after leaving Barcelona.
According to Sky Italia, talks between Messi and PSG are expected to rapidly intensify.
The Argentina captain is excited by the idea of playing with Neymar again.
Messi and Neymar played together at Barcelona for four seasons and won the LaLiga title twice and Champions League once.
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On Thursday evening, Barca shocked the football world after they announced Messi’s 21-year stay at the club will end this summer.
The 34-year-old’s contract expired on July 1. And although he agreed fresh terms with the LaLiga giants for a five-year deal, he will not be playing at the Nou Camp next season.
“Despite having reached an agreement with Messi and with both parties clearly wanting to sign a new contract, it cannot be finalised due to financial and structural problems [rules relating to the Spanish league],” an official Barcelona statement read in part.
”This is because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish Liga regulations).
“As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona.”
The statement continued: “Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.
“FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life.”
Messi had headed to the Nou Camp from his native Argentina, where he had learned his football with Newell’s Old Boys, as a 13-year-old in 2000.
He progressed swiftly through the club’s junior ranks before making his senior debut as a late substitute against Espanyol at the age of 17 in October 2004.
His contribution to the club since has been stellar, with his 778 appearances yielding a staggering 672 goals.
They have helped him to claim 10 league titles, four UEFA Champions League crowns and three FIFA Club World Cups among his haul of 35 trophies.
Messi had told Barca last summer he wanted to leave with his camp believing he was able to do so on a free transfer.
But he remained on board when it emerged he was in fact subject to a 700 million euros (828 million dollars) buy-out clause during the final year of his existing deal.