Messi looking to leave FC Barcelona this offseason

Lionel Messi’s spectacular career at FC Barcelona could be coming to an abrupt end.

Messi told Barcelona on Tuesday that he wants to leave after nearly two decades with the club, having grown unhappy after a trophy-less season ended with a humiliating loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Barcelona confirmed to The Associated Press that Messi sent the club a document expressing his desire to leave. But the club hinted that a legal battle could be coming and said it won’t automatically grant the Argentina great his wishes. Barcelona said it told Messi in response that it wants him to stay and finish his career at the club.

The dispute centers around a clause in Messi’s contract.

Barcelona said the document sent by Messi referenced a clause allowing him to leave for free at the end of the season. However, the club said the deadline for triggering that clause expired in June and that it would seek legal advice. Messi’s contract also includes a 700 million euro ($826 million) buyout clause.

The Spanish season would normally have ended in May but was pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic.

■ NWSL: The National Women’s Soccer League will play a series of games this fall in local markets with selected matches on national television.

The league’s nine teams will be divided into three groups, with each team playing four matches beginning Sept. 5.

Manchester United: Defender Harry Maguire was found guilty of assault at a trial on Tuesday and handed a 21-month suspended sentence following his arrest after a brawl last week on the island of Mykonos, court officials in Greece said. Maguire issued a statement saying he will appeal.