Josep Bartomeu resigns as Barcelona president
Bartomeu, who had replaced Sandro Rosell as Barca president in 2014, resigned on Tuesday rather than await a fans' vote of confidence
Bartomeu, who had replaced Sandro Rosell as Barca president in 2014, resigned on Tuesday rather than await a fans' vote of confidence
Messi, 33, returned to training with Ronald Koeman's new-look Barca side this month after failing to engineer a move away from Camp Nou this summer.
Some have questioned the need of the motion given that the club will hold elections for a new president in March 2021 in which Bartomeu will not be able to stand.
Messi senior arrived early on Wednesday morning, nine days after Lionel dropped the sporting bombshell by confirming that he wanted to leave Barcelona.
Rumours have been afloat about Lionel Messi's growing disparity with Barcelona management – especially with club president Josep Bartomeu – for a long time.
Veteran Lionel Messi reportedly asked Barca on Tuesday to let him leave the club he has been with for 20 seasons, since he was 13 years old.
Fans raised slogans asking Lionel Messi to stay and Josep Bartomeu to resign. They chanted "Bartomeu resign" and "Messi stay".
Former Barcelona vice-president Emili Rousaud had submitted his resignation last week with five other board members in a dramatic turn of events.
The resignations come after a months-long tussle between president Josep Bartomeu and his opposite lobby has already put Barcelona in an internal turmoil.
