Lionel Messi confirms he wanted to leave Barcelona and had opened door to other clubs

Lionel Messi has confirmed he wanted to leave Barcelona and even opened the door to a transfer away. Messi joined Barca in 2001 and has remained loyal for 18 years. Messi was embroiled in a tax row, which ended with the Argentina international forward having to pay a fine of £223,000 in 2013. In an interview with RAC1, Messi said: "There were moments in which I was tired for so many reasons. "There were times, in 2013 and 2014 when I had the problem with the Hacienda [Spanish tax authorities]. "In that time I had in my head to leave, not because I wanted to leave Barca, but because I wanted to leave Spain. "I felt badly treated and didn't want to be here any more, I had the door open to many clubs."

Christian Pulisic told he has “a major problem” at Chelsea under Frank Lampard