But the club, along with rivals Real Madrid and Serie A's Juventus are still clinging on to their plans for the European Super League after a court ruled that governing body UEFA terminate disciplinary proceedings against founding members of the breakaway project.

The Catalan club's president Joan Laporta will hold a news conference on Friday morning in the wake of departure of Messi, who celebrated his first major international title with Argentina last month when they beat rivals Brazil in the Copa America final.

Reuters