Lionel Messi, others to return exotic Audi cars after sponsorship deal ended

- Lionel Messi and his Barcelona teammates have been told to return their Audi cars

- The German car manufacturing giants ended their 13-year romance with the Spanish club

- Messi and Co usually get a brand new car from Audi every new season and return the old ones

Car manufacturer, Audi, have demanded that Barcelona stars should return their freebie cars after their Camp Nou sponsorship ended, reports claim.

Lionel Messi and Co were given the opportunity to select any top-of-the-range Audi model they fancied last year after the German company partnered up with Barca.

The Barcelona captain chose an Audi RS 6 Avant worth about £130,000 while Ivan Rakitic went for an Audi Q7 worth £65,000.

But after Audi's deal with the Spanish champions ended on June 30, they have recalled the motors.

According to Spanish news media outlet AS, the company has given a three-week deadline for the players to return their exotic cars.

Barcelona's players had used the cars as their daily ride to and from the club's training ground.

Last year, Audi's Christian Guenthner told SunSport: "For official business occasions they use their Audi. During the selection process Audi and the club work hand in hand.

"Players can choose from the whole range of models, usually starting with smaller cars for the younger players.

"They each get to choose a new model every season with a lot of optional extras. And with our Audi Exclusive catalogue options, there are infinitely many possibilities."

But the freebies have now ended since their 13-year relationship with the Spanish giants ended. The German car outfit also have deals with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Players get brand-new cars with Audi selling the second-hand models at the beginning of every new season.

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets had the most expensive motor with his Audi R8 Coupe V10 plus, in Daytona grey, costing £192,000.

Guenthner added: "Is there a chance to buy one of these cars after the players used them? Yes, it’s possible to get one of the cars on the official Audi used-car market."

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Barcelona midfielder Carles Alena is reportedly willing to relinquish his No.21 shirt for the club's new arrival Frenkie De Jong ahead of the new season.

According to SportBIBLE citing Mundo Deportivo, De Jong is said to have spoken to Alena about the possibility of sporting the shirt once the new campaign kicks off.

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