Former Barcelona striker Julio Salinas believes Lionel Messi will leave.

Salinas sees Messi's renewal as an obstacle to the Blaugrana making other signings at a time when they need to bring in several new faces.

"Messi is the best player in the world, but Barcelona clearly need signings and the pot is almost empty. There's not a penny left; they have a serious economic problem and Messi earns almost 100 million [euros]," Salinas told Betsfy.

"To win, signings are needed, but it's hard to see them coming in the current circumstances, so it will be Messi himself who decides to leave and begin his final chapter at a club who can offer him definite assurances of being able to challenge for the Champions League."

The former striker, who began his career with Athletic Club, also commented on the Supercopa de Espana final and stated that Messi's red card was justified.

"It's a clear red because he's made a mistake and you should never do that on the pitch, hit someone, but there are mitigating circumstances," he noted. "I understand his reaction."