Lionel Messi might have played his final game for Barcelona.
The Argentina star has been given permission to skip the team's final game of the Spanish league season at Eibar on Saturday, so he can have extra rest ahead of the Copa America, Barcelona said on Friday.
Messi didn't train on Friday. Barcelona is out of contention for the league title.
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His contract expires at the end of this season, and he hasn't given an indication he will sign a new one. The 33-year-old Messi has been with Barcelona for his whole career, but he tried to leave following the 2019-20 season, saying he wasn't happy with the direction the club was taking.
If Messi decides to leave Barca, Sunday’s 1-2 defeat at home to Celta Vigo would be his last. The loss eliminated Barca from being able to win the domestic crown, and with just one victory in five outings.
The Copa America starts on June 13, when Argentina take on Chile.
Barcelona are third in the Spanish league, seven points behind leader Atletico Madrid and five behind Real Madrid. The team could get overtaken by fourth-place Sevilla, which are two points back ahead of a home match against Alaves. Last-place Eibar has already been relegated.