Cadena COPE: Messi will consider leaving Barça in 2018

Lionel Messi is mulling over the possibility of concluding his Barça career at the end of his current contract that expires in June 2018.

The last few weeks have been particularly challenging for the 29-year-old, first losing the Copa America final to Chile on penalties - for a second consecutive year - and recently being convicted of tax fraud by the Spanish Court.

Cadena COPE's 'El Partido de las 12' programme noted on Monday that "he's been hit so hard that it's time to think and ponder about the present and future, for months he's felt harassed and persecuted".

It added that Barça's campaign with the hashtag #TodosSomosLeoMessi had left the player "cold and indifferent, becoming a hindrance rather than a help".

Messi will return to Barcelona on July 25 to travel with the squad to England, where the Blaugrana will play the first three games of pre-season.