'People Want To Make Lionel Messi Retire Early'

With Lionel Messi coming under a lot of criticism for his efforts to leave FC Barcelona, it has now been claimed by a former Blaugrana player that certain people are trying to force the six-time Ballon d'Or winner into early retirement.

The 33-year-old attempted to cut himself loose from Barcelona during the off-season following a fallout with then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Messi, however, stayed in Spain against his own wishes, but was heavily criticised by sections of the club's fans who accused the forward of disloyalty.

Zinedine Zidane – retired at 34 years old

Carlos Roa – retired at 29 years old, returned a year later

Philipp Lahm – retired at 33 years old

Ledley King – retired at 31 years old

Eric Cantona – retired at 30 years old

Marco van Basten – retired at 31 years old

Patrick Kluivert – retired at 31 years old

Hidetoshi Nakata – retired at 29 years old

Michel Platini – retired at 32 years old

Andre Schurrle – retired at 29 years old

Former Blaugrana midfielder Juan Manuel Asensi has now jumped to his defence, saying he believes those supporters will regret the way they have treated Messi when he eventually does move on.

"They want to make him retire early.

"I can't understand how you can be against Messi and how someone at Barcelona can question him after being the best player for 10 years.

"You have to build him a monument and the day Messi leaves Barcelona many will cry because they are treating him badly and he doesn't deserve all this."

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