Lionel Messi's Barcelona exit faces one of its most crucial stages today.More than a week has passed since the six-time Ballon d'Or winner sent a now famous fax to the club, informing them of his desire to end their 19-year working relationship this summer.Messi appears to have run out of patience with the club's sporting direction under president Josep Maria Bartomeu, which culminated in the disastrous 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.

Messi Snr flies to Barcelona

However, although Messi seems hellbent on kissing goodbye to Camp Nou, it's not as simple as the player getting what he wants and Barcelona are expected to put a fight for his signature.

There has been so much speculation surrounding Messi's most recent contract, but one thing that seems to be agreed upon across every report is that player and club do not agree.

As a result, Messi's father and agent, Jorge, has flown to the Catalan capital this morning ahead of what is anticipated to be crisis talks with Barcelona chiefs later in the day.

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Spanish press mob Messi Snr

It will come as no surprise that Jorge was mobbed by the Spanish media from the moment he stepped foot out of the El Prat Airport terminal as he potentially holds the key to the situation.

Besides, who better to provide insight on the Messi situation than his own father and the man, by way of being his agent, that organises his transfers and contracts?

So, bearing that in mind, there has arguably been no greater indication of Messi's impending departure than Jorge breaking his silence after being followed in his taxi into Barcelona.

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Jorge Messi breaks his silence

The press were once again on hand to greet Jorge and they got more out of him second time around after he had initially said only: "I don't know anything guys," at the airport.

But according to Sport, Messi Snr gave more information when speaking to 'Deportes Cuatro' and confirmed that it was more likely than not that his son would be leaving Barcelona.

Jorge is quoted as having said: "It's difficult to see Leo staying."

He was even quizzed on Manchester City supposedly being frontrunners to sign him before he entered his office, to which he replied: "I don't know anything about Manchester City."

And as the questions about City continued to rain in, Jorge added: "I haven't spoken to Pep Guardiola." Very interesting to say the very least. 

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What now?

It's hard to tell quite how coy Jorge is being with the media, particularly in terms of the City comments, but there can be no denying any longer that Messi isn't playing games here.

It certainly speaks volumes that Jorge feels almost certain that his son wants to leave Camo Nou before he enters talks with the Barcelona chiefs that could decide how the whole saga ends.

But there's definitely reason to take even more from the comments than that because it's difficult to believe that Messi's team will have taken things this far without communicating with City at all.

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