Some Liverpool fans have urged the Reds on Twitter to make a move for Lionel Messi following his departure from Barcelona.
What’s the story?
Barcelona made the shocking announcement last night that Messi is leaving the club.
The Argentina international forward has been on the books of Barcelona his entire professional club football career, but he is now set to leave Camp Nou.
The 34-year-old has won the La Liga title 10 times and the Champions League on four occasions among other major trophies with Barca.
Messi, who clinched the Copa America with Argentina this summer, has won the Ballon d’Or six times.
“Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of Spanish LaLiga regulations on player registration,” reads the statement on Barcelona’s official website.
“As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. 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.”
The Manchester Evening News, Football.London and The Mirror all described the news as a ‘shock’.
What are Liverpool fans saying?
As you can see from the tweets below, Liverpool fans want the club to now sign Messi on a free transfer.
Well, some of them anyway.
Some Liverpool fans are also joking that the Merseyside club have not made any major signing except Ibrahima Konate because they have been waiting for Messi to become a free transfer.
Could Messi join Liverpool?
It would be a dream signing for the former Premier League champions.
Messi is one of the best players of all time and is still at the top of his game.
And he would not cost any transfer fee.
However, Messi’s reported salary of €45 million (£38.23m) per year is probably too much.
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