Lionel Messi has declared his intention to leave FC Barcelona in a shocking move

• Lionel Messi is leaving FC Barcelona.
• On Tuesday, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner declared his intention to part ways with the club after weeks of speculation that he could depart for another team.
• Multiple sources as well as the club itself confirmed that the Argentinian superstar plans to activate a clause to terminate his contract with the club unilaterally.

After 16 years of dominating La Liga, Lionel Messi is parting ways with FC Barcelona.

On Tuesday, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner declared his intention to part ways with the club. Multiple sources — and later the club itself — confirmed the news and reported that the Argentinian superstar informed Barcelona leadership that he plans to activate a clause to terminate his contract with the club unilaterally.

—Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) August 25, 2020

—Alfredo Martínez (@Alfremartinezz) August 25, 2020

—Cholo Sottile (@marcelosottile) August 25, 2020

—SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 25, 2020

The shocking announcement came after weeks of speculation that he could depart for another team. Messi had told Barcelona's new coach he was closer to leaving than staying and didn't "clearly" see his future with Barça.

Manchester City was reportedly interested in acquiring the speedy 33-year-old but is still deliberating whether or not they can afford the massive investment involved in bringing him into their fold. Paris Saint-Germain — one of the few other clubs on the planet that can actually pay his massive paycheck — may bring Messi on to pair him with fellow international superstars Neymar and Kylian Mbappé.

Where Messi decides to land still remains to be seen, but whichever team earns his services will be taking on one of the most talented football stars ever to play the game. He's won more Ballon d'Or trophies than any other athlete in history and a record six European Golden Shoes.

While with Barcelona — where he's played his entire professional career — Messi led the club to four UEFA Champions League titles, six Copas del Rey, and 10 La Liga titles.

• Read more:
• Manchester City is calculating if it can afford to buy Lionel Messi without breaking European financial rules, as rumors of an $800 million transfer grow
• Lionel Messi has told Barcelona's new coach he is closer to leaving than staying, and doesn't 'clearly' see his future at the club
• $800 million Lionel Messi may be on his way out of FC Barcelona, but only 2 teams on the planet can actually afford to buy him
• Lionel Messi has demanded to leave FC Barcelona after the club's humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich