Lionel Messi may consider a sensational exit from Barcelona if they cannot guarantee they are capable of challenging for silverware, says Rio Ferdinand.
The Argentinian star cut a forlorn figure on the pitch as Barca suffered their worst-ever defeat in European competition - an 8-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Thomas Muller and Philippe Coutinho both scored twice, with Robert Lewandowski, Ivan Perisic, Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry also netting on a memorable night in Lisbon.
Messi, 33, has spent his entire career at Camp Nou but the Blaugrana captain has publicly criticised the club's board on more than one occasion, suggesting he is not entirely happy at the club.
In a discussion about Messi's future following the Bayern match, Ferdinand thinks the six-time Ballon d'or winner will need to reflect on whether he is willing to see out his career in Barcelona.
"The question is what is Messi thinking? What is he thinking going home tonight?" Ferdinand told BT Sport.
"The level of performances that club has given and how the squad is looking at the moment in comparison to other teams around Europe. That's the big question he will be thinking about.
"Has he got the time to sit there and wait? Football comes and goes very quickly in your life so these next two years, where he is going to have power to influence games the way he does.
"Is he going to want to do that not competing for the big titles? I don't know."
Former Bayern midfielder Owen Hargreaves, also present working as a pundit, believes Messi can no longer rely on having quality players around him.
"[Luis] Suarez and Messi are looking round thinking 'I miss Iniesta, Xavi, I miss Puyol' because those guys aren't there any more," he said.
"Ansu Fati came on and he looked great, but he's a 17-year-old kid.
"The gap between Messi and who's going to be next, you can't [see them being successful]."
