Sports

AMMAN — The Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) executive office has announced that sporting activities can resume, including national teams training, from Sunday, following two weeks of stoppage due the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

The decision was made in co-ordination with the Jordan Sports Medicine Federation with the e-meeting also releasing the new health protocols, including COVID-19 tests for athletes, coaches, administrators and referees 72 hours prior to any sports activity.

The general health procedures have also been updated and distributed to the wider sports sector via the National Sports Federations, as well as being posted to the JOC website.

The executive office assures that everything will be done within its power to ensure sport enjoys a safe return, with regular visits to venues to be carried out by JOC staff accompanied by members from the Sports Medicine Federation and governmental entities.

LONDON — Drivers George Russell and Nicholas Latifi summed up the feelings of generations of Formula One fans on Thursday when they described the announcement of the Williams family's shock exit as a "sad day" for the sport.

Claire Williams, the daughter of team founder Frank Williams, revealed she would be departing her role as deputy team principal following the team's sale to US investment firm Dorilton Capital last month.

Both of the team's drivers pledged to continue fighting for the team and family name, making clear their unique legacy would be honoured as they, and nearly all former Williams drivers and staff and their competitors, struggled to absorb the news that spelled the end for one of the greatest teams in F1 history. Williams won 16 drivers' and constructors' world championships.

The departure of the Williams family also marked the end of an era for the sport as arguably the finest independent team exited, confirming in the process that modern corporate F1 is no longer a place for a family firm.

Frank and Claire Williams said they would end their connections with the team following this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza where, with rich irony, their great rivals Ferrari may struggle to avoid competitive embarrassment.

Quintessentially British

"It's always going to be special that where I started out was here with Williams," said Canadian rookie Latifi. "They've given many drivers their first opportunity. The culture that has been cultivated here is going to remain the same - that's something that will not go just because Claire and the family are stepping aside."

That culture — quintessentially British, competitive, innovative and laced with the founder's dry humour — enabled Williams to progress from being seen as a quirky independent 'garagiste' outfit into serial winners, frequently beating major car manufacturer rivals including Ferrari, Renault and Toyota.

Only Ferrari, with 16 titles, have more than Williams total of nine in the constructors' championship, but like another great British team, McLaren, they have not triumphed in a Grand Prix since 2012 and finished last in 2018 and 2019.

Latifi and Russell were informed of the Williams' family decision to cut their links with the team and the sport shortly before Thursday's announcement, a late move typical of Williams' business-first style. The team that brewed the best tea in the paddock - and offered traditional British fried breakfasts - was never in any way sentimental.

"Obviously it is a sad day for us," said Russell, a driver who followed champions like Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve.

"For me, personally, Frank and Claire gave me my opportunity in F1, something I am very thankful and grateful for and the opportunity to drive for such an amazing and prestigious team.

"It's sad to see the Williams family step aside, but the history of Williams will still remain under Williams Racing and we will continue to fight and represent the family name."

Frank's daughter Claire, who has acted as the de facto boss of the British team since 2013, said her departure as deputy team principal, following the team's sale was an appropriate move.

"With the future of the team now secured, this feels like the appropriate time for us to step away from the sport," she said.

"We believe now is the right time to hand over the reins and give the new owners the opportunity to take the team into the future."

Frank Williams, 78, began active competition in F1 in 1972, but did not establish the team that went on to win 16 constructors' and drivers' championships until the 1977 Spanish Grand Prix.

He and technical director Patrick Head formed a formidable partnership in the team's glory years through the 1980s and 1990s, overcoming the tragic setback of a road accident in 1986 that left Williams in a wheelchair and then surviving the death of Ayrton Senna, in a Williams car, at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

ROME — While some Serie A clubs are eyeing Lionel Messi longingly, their mantra as they prepare for the transfer window is “financial prudence”.

The notion of Messi resuming his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo is appealing. And Italy offers possible tax advantages for Messi, who has had issues in that area in Spain.

The Italian media has fuelled the dreams of Serie A fans by reporting this summer that his father Jorge Messi had bought an apartment in Milan.

In recent seasons, even the top Serie A clubs have generally avoided competing in the transfer market with the wealthiest clubs in Spain, England and France, and the coronavirus crisis has many clubs insisting they will be even more careful.

Italian clubs value experience and, at 35, Ronaldo, one of the few stars to arrive from abroad for a big fee in recent seasons, will remain the headliner at Juventus.

But the club have recognised that before they set off in pursuit of a 10th consecutive title they need to rejuvenate an ageing squad.

They have brought in 41-year-old Andrea Pirlo for his first head coaching job and acquired 24-year-old Brazilian Arthur from Barcelona in a deal which saw 30-year-old Miralem Pjanic go the other way, covering nearly all of the theoretical 72-million-euro ($86-million) fee. 

Juventus are taking 22-year-old American Weston McKennie from Schalke on loan and allowing 33-year-old Frenchman Blaise Matuidi to leave for David Beckham’s Inter Miami.

They are reportedly trying to usher out 33-year-old Sami Khedira and 32-year-old Gonzalo Higuain.

Higuain, whom Juventus snatched from Napoli in 2016 for 90 million euros, reportedly wants a payoff to cover the final year of his contract before leaving.

Yet, proving that experience still counts for the Bianconeri, 34-year-old Roma centre-forward Edin Dzeko has reportedly been targeted to replace Higuain. 

Also in the veteran category is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, at almost 39, who has signed for another season with AC Milan.

Deprived of the Champions League since 2014, the club sees him as a mentor for a talented young generation which finished the season in style with a 12-match unbeaten streak in the league.

‘Not a mascot’

“I’m not here to be a mascot, but to help the club get back to where it deserves to be,” said Zlatan, who returned on Saturday to prepare for the new season, which starts on September 19.

The highly sought-after and talented 20-year-old Sandro Tonali of Brescia could be part of Milan’s rebuilding.

As for Inter, who chased Juventus home last season, the aim is to strengthen the midfield, where Christian Eriksen, who arrived cheaply in January from Tottenham, has not so far been the answer.

Antonio Conte, a manager with a reputation for seeking players who can deliver at once, is reportedly looking for experience in midfield and Italian media have mentioned 33-year-old Chilean Arturo Vidal of Barcelona and 29-year-old N’Golo Kante of Chelsea.

Conte coached Vidal at Juventus and Kante at Chelsea. Inter have already added speedy 21-year-old Morocco international right-back Achraf Hakimi from Dortmund.

Both Atalanta and Lazio, third and fourth last season, are banking on continuity.

Lazio on Monday extended the contract of last season’s Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile, who is 30, until 2025. 

In this generally cautious market, Napoli, desperate to return to the Champions League, have made the biggest splash, signing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from Lille for a fee of up to 80 million euros.

But that means Napoli must sell and they have agreed to allow Brazilian midfielder Allan to join Everton. Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly could soon follow to England.

Meanwhile, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who ran AC Milan during an era when Serie A attracted almost all the most expensive stars, is making waves at Serie B club Monza, acquiring Dane Christian Gytkjaer and Croatian international Mirko Maric, the top scorers in last season’s Polish and Croatian leagues.

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium — Red Bull team adviser Helmut Marko hit back at Lewis Hamilton’s criticism of Alex Albon and defended Red Bull’s driver line-up as a “good pairing” after the London-born Thai driver’s sixth-placed finish in Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Albon, in his first full season as Max Verstappen’s teammate, has struggled to match the Dutchman’s pace and has remained around four-tenths of a second per lap behind him — a gap that Sunday’s race winner Hamilton believes has undermined Verstappen and Red Bull’s challenge for the titles.

Marko, who is head of the Red Bull driver programme that has supplied a stream of racers to both Alpha Tauri, formerly Toro Rosso, and the senior team, defended Albon in the aftermath of Verstappen finishing third behind both Mercedes’ cars to claim his sixth consecutive podium finish.

“I don’t understand the criticism of Albon,” said Marko. “Other teammates also had a lot of trouble with Max... I don’t see it that Max is pushing him to the limit, but that he is pushing himself. I think we have a good pairing there.”

Albon was separated from Verstappen by both Renaults on Sunday while Hamilton was followed home by teammate Valtteri Bottas in Mercedes’ 50th one-two finish since 2010 in the modern turbo hybrid era.

Asked about the potency of Red Bull’s challenge to the “black arrows” defence of their championship crowns, Hamilton had suggested that Verstappen lacked a team-mate who could match his pace and results.

The championship leader did not mention Albon by name as he made a general strategic point.

“People downplay it, but Red Bull have got a very, very strong car,” he said.

“Unfortunately, both drivers aren’t there like me and Valtteri are there... That makes it harder for them.

“I experienced it many years ago with McLaren and I was the driver that was always at the front and didn’t have a team-mate backing up.

“So, you equally don’t get the constructors’ points and then can’t play with strategy on the cars they are racing against.... So he’s kind of there on his own.”

Albon, who has finished in the top four only once this year, received solid support from Red Bull team chief Christian Horner who also heaped praise on the man he replaced midway through last season, Pierre Gasly.

The Frenchman was chosen as “driver of the day” on Sunday after finishing eighth for Alpha Tauri.

“They have a good car this year, which may be easier to manage than ours, but Alex is great on Sundays,” said Horner.

“He had another good race, he is always strong on the attack, so we are moving in the right direction.”

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher added, when speaking on Sky Germany, that his Thai background was a factor.

“We can’t forget about the ownership structure at Red Bull, where it is very welcome that a Thai driver is there,” he said.

Hamilton, whose win moved him within two victories of Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91 as he seeks this year to equal the German’s haul of seven championships, has welcomed a closer fight.

But, like Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff and many paddock observers, he has not welcomed “artificial” manipulation of the regulations to reduce his speed.

Instead, he suggested tyres were an issue to address.

NEW YORK — Overwhelming favourite Novak Djokovic began his quest for an 18th Grand Slam title on Monday as a unique, spectator-free 2020 US Open gets underway in a COVID-19 quarantine bubble at Flushing Meadows.

The World No. 1 headlined the opening day of a tennis major that promises to be unlike any other and which is missing several top players due to coronavirus fears.

Djokovic took on unheralded Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina at an Arthur Ashe Stadium that in normal years buzzes with 23,000 screaming fans.

But due to strict measures aimed at keeping COVID-19 out of the US National Tennis Centre, only players, officials and a handful of media will be watching in-person this year.

“It is strange to see,” said Djokovic, crediting his love of playing on the New York hardcourts to Ashe, which he described as “the most dynamic and explosive court” in the game.

“The circumstances are very unusual but we have to deal with it and try to embrace it,” the Serbian superstar added.

The US Open marks the first Grand Slam of the coronavirus era, and the first since the Australian Open in January and February, after the global pandemic wiped out much of the season, including Wimbledon.

Players are being kept in a tightly controlled environment to minimize the risk of infection and are being tested for coronavirus regularly throughout the tournament.

The men’s draw was disrupted on the eve of the tournament Sunday when France’s Benoit Paire was removed after organisers announced that an unidentified player had been withdrawn after testing positive for COVID-19.

Under New York state rules, any player that tests positive is immediately withdrawn and must self-isolate for at least 10 days.

Most competitors are staying at specific hotels and are not allowed to travel anywhere other than to and from the tournament site and their accommodation.

Some players, including Djokovic, have rented private houses that must be guarded 24 hours by security to safeguard the quarantine bubble.

Parts of the tennis centre  grounds were turned into makeshift hospital rooms during the worst of the pandemic in New York in April.

No Nadal, Federer

Intense cleaning and safety protocols were put in place before the US Open allowed players into the bubble. 

And the number of support personnel for each competitor is limited, as is the number of players allowed into the locker room at any one time.

Players are advised to wear masks when they are not on court and must wash their hands regularly. 

The absence of defending champion Rafael Nadal and Swiss legend Roger Federer gives Djokovic a prime opportunity to gain ground on his rivals in the chase for the all-time men’s Grand Slam singles title record.

Top seed and three-time US Open winner Djokovic — who has won five of the past seven Grand Slam crowns — has 17 slams, behind Nadal on 19 and Federer on 20.

Also on Ashe Monday is top-seeded woman Karolina Pliskova, who goes up against 145th ranked Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine. 

Two-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka is scheduled to play as well, but her status is in doubt due to a left hamstring injury that forced her to pull out of Saturday’s WTA New York final.

Serena Williams starts her bid for a 24th career Grand Slam women’s singles crown to match the all-time record set by Margaret Court on Tuesday.

Women’s No. 1 Ashleigh Barty and reigning champion Bianca Andreescu are among high-profile women skipping the event because of concerns about coronavirus.

SPA—FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium — Lewis Hamilton stretched his lead in the drivers' world championship and closed to within two wins of Michael Schumacher's Formula One record of 91 on Sunday with a majestic, if ultimately tense, Belgian Grand Prix victory.

The series leader and six-time champion registered his 89th career win with another flawless drive to take his fourth Belgian triumph, finishing 8.448 seconds clear of his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas.

It was Hamilton's fifth win in seven races this year and extended his record run of points-scoring races to 40.

Max Verstappen came third for Red Bull, seven seconds further adrift, to claim his sixth podium finish in succession.

Hamilton, who had to nurse his car home on worn tyres, has 157 points in the title race, 47 clear of Verstappen. The “black arrows” lead the constructors' championship with 264 points, well ahead of Red Bull on 158.

"It wasn't the easiest of races," said Hamilton. "It was a bit of a struggle, but nonetheless I think it was ok in the end."

At the British Grand Prix at the start of August, Hamilton had clung on to win after one of his tyres disintegrated.

"I was concerned that we'd have a scenario like Silverstone, but the tyre seemed to have quite a bit of rubber left on it at the finish."

Bottas admitted he could not match his team-mate's pace.

"The start was a good opportunity, but Lewis played it really well and I just couldn't catch him. In the same car, with Lewis driving a flawless race, it was really difficult."

Verstappen said he had a dull afternoon. 

"It was pretty boring, not very interesting and not much to do," he said. "I ran out of tyre at the end so I was just stretching it out and saving the tyres."

Daniel Ricciardo produced the fastest lap on his final lap as he claimed fourth ahead of his Renault team-mate Esteban Ocon, and Alex Albon, in the second Red Bull. 

Lando Norris was seventh in the sole McLaren.

Pierre Gasly finished eighth for Alpha Tauri ahead of the Racing Points of Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez. On a troubled weekend, last year's winner Charles Leclerc was 14th, one place behind outgoing Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel.

Drama and ceremony 

On a cool dry day in the Ardennes, the race was preceded by drama and ceremony with Carlos Sainz's McLaren suffering an exhaust failure that ruled him out and then a minute's silence, in memory of French F2 racer Anthoine Hubert, and the now-familiar drivers' anti-racism demonstration before the national anthem.

Hamilton made a smooth start from his record 93rd pole position ahead of Bottas while Verstappen fought to defend third position against Ricciardo.

Bottas chased Hamilton in vain, the champion controlling his advantage with imperious speed in the early laps as they pulled clear of the rest.

"We have one push now?" asked Bottas. 

"Yes, but we agreed not to use it against each other," replied Mercedes.

"I've never heard of that," replied the clearly miffed Finn, who had said on Saturday that he would attack his team-mate to keep alive his own title bid.

The safety car came out on lap 11 after a collision involving Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi and George Russell of Williams. The Italian spun into the barriers in front of the Briton whose car was hit by an errant rear wheel as he took evasive action.

The damaged cars left debris strewn across the circuit, but the drivers walked away unhurt. 

"I'm ok," said Russell on team radio. "Nowhere I could go, guys."

The leaders pitted immediately, Bottas only just returning ahead of Verstappen after a slow stop. Ferrari appeared unready when Leclerc pitted, another issue in a bleak weekend that saw their drivers bump wheels in a scrap for 12th.

After the re-start, Bottas closed to nine-tenths briefly, on lap 17, but Hamilton raised his pace and was gone.

LYON — Memphis Depay scored a hat-trick including two penalties as Champions League semifinalists Lyon began the new French season with a 4-1 victory over Dijon on Friday.

Dutch forward Depay bagged his first Ligue 1 goals since December, having missed the coronavirus-shortened second half of last season after rupturing knee ligaments just before Christmas.

“I’m really happy to have scored three goals tonight. It wasn’t my best match personally. We needed to win and that’s what we did,” said Depay.

Lyon sporting director Juninho has said there will be departures before the end of the transfer window on October 5 as the club heads into its first season without European football since 1996-97.

Depay, along with Houssem Aouar and Moussa Dembele, have repeatedly been linked with moves but the 26-year-old insisted he is concentrating on helping Lyon make a run at ending Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance.

“I’m focused on OL. I can dream of big clubs but I’m looking to do my best here,” said Depay, who doesn’t believe the lighter schedule this season is necessarily a plus.

“I don’t think not playing in Europe is an advantage because when you play in Europe you get better.”

Lyon, who finished a poor seventh last term, were without midfielder Aouar for their opening game of the new campaign after he tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the day, and the home side fell behind to a first Dijon goal for Aurelien Scheidler.

Depay, the Lyon captain, equalised from the penalty spot after Ahmad Ngouyamsa barged Maxwel Cornet over as Rudi Garcia’s side turned the game in their favour with three goals in the space of six minutes just before half-time at the Groupama Stadium.

The former Manchester United winger spun past his defender on the corner of the box and fizzed in a dangerous low cross that caused Dijon’s Wesley Lautoa to poke into his own net and give Lyon the lead. 

Seconds after the subsequent restart Depay struck again, Karl Toko Ekambi’s deflected ball finding its way to the Dutchman who displayed great poise and skill to volley beyond Alfred Gomis from six yards.

Senegal goalkeeper Gomis produced a magnificent save to deny Depay his hat-trick on the hour as Lyon continued to attack freely.

England youth international Jonathan Panzo, who won the U-17 World Cup alongside Phil Foden in 2017, came on for his Dijon debut in the second half two days after the defender’s arrival on a three-year deal from Monaco.

The Chelsea academy graduate promptly conceded another penalty after a VAR review as he was adjudged to have clipped the heels of Leo Dubois.

Depay again converted by blasting home via the underside of the crossbar to seal his hat-trick on a memorable return to top-flight action.

Nine games are scheduled in Ligue 1 this weekend, with Marseille due to visit Brest on Sunday despite another three reported coronavirus cases at the club.

Marseille’s planned opener against Saint-Etienne last Friday was postponed after five players tested positive for Covid-19.

Titleholders PSG’s scheduled game at Lens on Saturday has been pushed back to September 10 following their run to the final of the Champions League in Lisbon.

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom — Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara believes England’s James Anderson may have set a record that will be “Jimmy’s alone” after he became the first paceman to take 600 Test wickets.

Anderson, 38, made history when he had Pakistan captain Azhar Ali caught at slip by England skipper Joe Root in the drawn third Test at Southampton on Tuesday.

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) President Sangakkara, in an email to club members published Saturday, said Anderson’s feat was a “joyful moment for the ages” and “an exceptional achievement”. 

“Jimmy is a fast bowler of immense skill and determination,” added the 42-year-old Sangakkara, a former Sri Lanka captain.

“His achievement is tremendous, not just for the fact that it is 600 wickets, but also for what that entails in terms of effort, commitment and reinvention.”

The only bowlers ahead of Anderson in the all-time list of Test wicket-takers are three retired spinners — Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Australia’s Shane Warne (708) and India’s Anil Kumble (619).

And of the three other fast bowlers to have taken more than 500 Test wickets, only Anderson’s longstanding England new-ball colleague Stuart Broad (514 wickets), is still an active cricketer, with Australia’s Glenn McGrath (563) and West Indies’ Courtney Walsh (519) having long since hung up their boots.

“He has set a record for current and future pace bowlers to chase, but it may just be one record that will be Jimmy’s and Jimmy’s alone,” said Sangakkara, a former wicketkeeper-batsman who appeared in 134 Tests and was Sri Lanka’s captain when they lost the 2011 World Cup final to India in Mumbai.

“It was my great privilege to play against him and I now share with you the enjoyment of watching him from beyond the boundary rope for as long as he may continue.”

Sangakkara is the first overseas president in the 233-year-old history of MCC, the owners of London’s Lord’s cricket ground.

By tradition, MCC presidents serve for just one year.

But with no internationals being played at Lord’s, ‘the home of cricket’ in 2020 because of Covid-19 — Saturday will see the ground’s first match of the season when Middlesex play Kent in an English domestic Twenty20 — Sangakkara’s time in office has been extended by 12 months.

“I would like to thank you [the MCC membership] for your support in granting an extension to my term as president,” Sangakkara wrote in acknowledgement.

LONDON — Jose Mourinho told Harry Kane that he wanted to help make him a global superstar after the Portuguese manager's appointment at Tottenham.

Mourinho called England captain Kane into his office in his third day in the job after he replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the Spurs hotseat in November last year.

A scene in Amazon Prime Video's upcoming documentary "All or Nothing", which airs on Monday, shows Mourinho sitting down with his star striker, who was a close confidant of the sacked Pochettino, and telling him how they could be good for each other.

"I saw you training yesterday and I have no doubts that you are a leader," said Mourinho. "That is my feeling. The world looks to English football with an incredible respect but they still think that the movie stars of football belong to other places.

"We have to build also your status in that direction. My profile, I am little bit like that as a coach. My dimension is universal and by being with me I think I can help you."

Mourinho told Kane he had better players at his disposal than he had at his former club, Manchester United, saying Spurs had the potential to "explode".

The Amazon documentary begins with Spurs' poor start to the 2019/20 campaign, leading to Pochettino's sacking.

Chairman Daniel Levy, who had a close relationship with the Argentine, said there had been "a lot of heartache" over the decision to sack Pochettino.

Mourinho did not let the cameras affect his management style.

‘Too nice'

In one of his early speeches to his team he accused them of being too nice, using a string of expletives to urge his players to show some mettle.

And Mourinho revealed that the only advice former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson gave him when the Portuguese was manager of United was to sign Dele Alli.

Mourinho made the confession to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy in a meeting shown in the documentary.

"Sir Alex Ferguson gave me only one bit of advice in two-and-a-half years: Buy Dele Alli," he said. "'That guy, with that mentality, the way he plays, the aggression he has in mind. This guy is the Manchester United player. Buy Dele Alli'.

"And he [Ferguson] has an eye for a player. But he [Alli] is not a good trainer, we need to find motivation for the guy."

Mourinho was open with his views on Alli in the documentary, often calling the attacker out for his limp efforts in training.

In a one-on-one meeting with the player he questioned whether Alli's "party boy" lifestyle could have contributed to his drop in form.

"There is a huge difference between a player that keeps consistency and a player that has moments," he told Alli. "And that is what makes the difference between a top, top player and a player that has potential."

MADRID — Lionel Messi has informed Barcelona he wants to “unilaterally” terminate his contract with the Spanish giants after a calamitous end to the season, a club source confirmed to AFP on Tuesday.

Lawyers for the Argentina star sent Barcelona a fax in which they announced Messi’s desire to rescind his contract by triggering a release clause, sending shockwaves throughout the world of football.

Barcelona have yet to officially react but are understood to believe the clause expired in June and that he remains under contract until the end of the 2021 season.

“In principal, this clause expired on June 10, but the unusual nature of this season disrupted by the coronavirus opened the way for Messi to ask to be released from his contract now,” wrote Spanish sports daily Marca.

“It’s the first step towards opening negotiations over his departure, on the basis of which his release clause amounts to 700 million euros.”

Messi joined Barcelona’s youth academy at the age of 13 and made his debut in 2004 as a 17-year-old.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is the club’s record scorer with 634 goals and has won the Champions League four times. 

But his future at Barca was thrown into doubt following a humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals in Lisbon 11 days ago. 

It marked the first time Barca had conceded eight goals in a game since losing to Sevilla 8-0 in the 1946 Spanish Cup.

The humbling defeat sparked drastic changes within the club. Coach Quique Setien was sacked after barely six months in charge while Sporting Director Eric Abidal was also dismissed after Barca’s first season without a trophy since 2007.

Argentine sports daily Ole described Messi’s wish to leave as a “complete bombshell”, but the Argentine has had regular disagreements with the club’s board in recent times.

‘More out than in’

According to Spanish media, Messi met with new Barca coach Ronald Koeman last week and told the Dutchman he saw himself “more out than in” the club.

Koeman has vowed to “fight to put Barca back on top” and said at his unveiling he was hopeful Messi would remain at the club for several more years.

Since his appointment though Koeman has reportedly told Luis Suarez he is no longer part of Barca’s plans, delivering a similar message to Arturo Vidal, Ivan Rakitic and Samuel Umtiti.

“The club needs changes,” said defender Gerard Pique following the Bayern demolition. “Nobody is untouchable, least of all me. Fresh blood is needed to change this. We’ve hit rock bottom.”

The loss, Barca’s heaviest in Europe, exposed an ageing team that Messi repeatedly had said was simply not good enough.

He said it in February and again in July, when a rant in the aftermath of handing Real Madrid the title turned into a brutal, but honest, assessment of their season. 

As his relationship with the club hierarchy grew increasingly strained, Messi also reacted publicly when Abidal appeared to blame the players for the sacking of Ernesto Valverde in January. 

He also led the fightback from the Barcelona players over a dispute with the board in March regarding pay cuts during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Respect and admiration, Leo. All my support, friend,” tweeted Barca great Carles Puyol, a long-time former teammate of Messi, to which Suarez replied with two applause emojis.

Vidal also posted a cryptic message on Twitter. “When you shut a tiger in a cage, he doesn’t give in he fights back,” he wrote.

Messi’s reported salary of nearly one million euros per week would limit the number of potential suitors able to afford his services while respecting UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations. Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are among those to have been linked with an audacious swoop for one of football’s all-time greats.