Former Real Madrid star Luis Figo can see Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona.

At times this season, Messi hasn't quite looked himself in a Barcelona shirt, only scoring his first goal from open play in LaLiga Santander against Real Betis last weekend.

"I watched the thing with Messi and his attempt to leave Barcelona this summer like all football fans: expectantly and surprised," Figo said as a guest at the MARCA Sport Weekend.

"He'll have his motives and reasons for making that decision. I don't know what happened beforehand.

"Every club wants to have a player like Messi, but then it depends on factors like the current financial situation at the club, the money he'll cost the club in wages, the will of the player...

"But generally, in life, if you don't want to be somewhere, in the end there's nothing that can change your mind."