Leo Messi has been granted an early vacation, and he will be missing Barcelona’s final match of the season against Eibar. Messi has played 47 games this season across all competitions and has lifted the Copa del Rey, after a trophyless 19/20 season.

The Argentinian will get more time to rest before participating in the Copa America with his national team. He is currently the top scorer in the league, and with Eibar already relegated and Barcelona officially out of the title race, there is nothing to play for.

Ronald Koeman has hence decided to rest the club captain. And it could very well be curtains on his Barcelona career. The player’s contract expires this summer, and he hasn’t agreed a new contract with the club yet. So, should an agreement not be found in time, we could have seen Messi in a Barcelona shirt for the last time in the 2-1 loss against Celta Vigo.

Messi has scored 30 goals this season in the league and will win the Pichichi Trophy for the fifth season running. He is seven goals clear of his nearest competitor, Gerard Moreno, who has scored 23 Goals in the domestic league.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has assured fans that he will do everything in his power to keep Messi at the club. Among the rumours circulating have been that of Barcelona offering the Argentinian a 10-year contract, with him becoming club ambassador once he retires.