Frenkie de Jong has revealed that Lionel Messi is still in the club’s group chat despite asking to leave Barcelona this summer.

Messi, 33, has told Barcelona he wants to leave the club after nearly two decades with the Spanish giants.

Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain have expressed an interest in signing the six-time Ballon d’Or winner not to mention Manchester City who are reportedly in pole position to acquire his services. 

But even though the superstar forward has demanded his exit from Barcelona, he remains in the club’s group chat according to De Jong.

The Dutch midfielder says he hopes that the Argentine is still at the club when he returns from international duty.

“I hope that Messi is still there when I get back, but that is not something that is up to me. He’s still in the group chat,” he told Fox Sports.

“I’m not anyone to talk about it with him, I’m sure he has many people around him doing that these days.”

De Jong added: “I haven’t talked to him about this myself. Nor the club.

“So, I honestly do not know how it is.

“But if Messi really leaves, it will be a huge blow to the team and the club.

“When I come back after these international matches, I will see what has happened at the club.

“I didn’t call him. I think enough people want to know about him. I don’t have such a good relationship with him that I call him and ask him how it is.”

De Jong joined Barcelona last summer as the club endured a trophyless campaign last season. 

The 23-year-old will put the club’s messy situation to a side as he prepares for the Netherlands’ Nation League fixtures against Poland and Italy.

source:- sportbible