Former Barcelona forward Emmanuel Amunike has urged the club to respect Lionel Messi‘s final decision on his future.

The 33-year-old submitted a transfer request last summer but, after Josep Maria Bartomeu‘s resignation as president, his future is now rather unclear.

Messi‘s contract expires in June and he’s thought to be waiting to see what sort of project the incoming president has to offer before making a decision on whether to stay or not.

“You never know what’s going to happen,” Amunike told Radio MARCA.

“The reality is that you have to thank Messi for everything he’s given to Barcelona. But everything has its beginning and end. He’s not as young as he was.

“But I’ll remember what Messi has done for the club. If Messi leaves, you have to respect him and thank him for what he’s done.”

Amunike joined Barcelona not long after their current boss, Ronald Koeman, had left the club.

“I’m happy for Koeman,” the Nigerian added. “It hasn’t been so easy for him.

“Now they’re in the final of the Supercopa de Espana and that will give the team more confidence.”