Matheus Fernandes slams Barcelona for releasing him via 'email'

Matheus Fernandes has slammed his treatment by Barcelona claiming that he released him by email without a 'goodbye'.

The 23-year-old Brazilian was signed by the club in January 2020 but played just 17 minutes during his time at the Nou Camp.

He had his contract terminated by the club this summer and has returned to Brazilian side Palmeiras who he originally left to join the Spanish club.

Marca have reported that Fernandes is set to sue the club that are trying to recoup funds in the middle of a financial crisis.

Fernandes was asked by Globo Esporte to explain his departure and said: 'I didn't know [about being released], and when they told me I couldn't believe it.

'I was at home, I was going out with my wife and I received a message from the club asking if I had the same email address. I confirmed and then received it.'

His one and only Barcelona appearance came in a Champions League group stage match against Dynamo Kyiv as a second-half substitute.

Fernandes has said he didn't understand why Barcelona let him go and that it had been his dream as a child to play for them.

'I didn't understand it, I sent it to my manager and lawyer. They said it was my dismissal.

'I always had the dream as a child to play for Barcelona,' Fernandes admitted as he lambasted the Spanish football behemoths.

'When I got there, they didn't treat me as a footballer. I told the director that he didn't treat me like a professional Barcelona player.

'I was a Barcelona player, and I wanted to be treated like one. The other signings had a presentation and I didn't. I was upset.

'Looking at it from the outside I thought one thing but when I got there they treated me differently.'

Fernandes didn't join up with Barcelona until the summer of 2020 after he was loaned out for the second half of the 2019-20 season at LaLiga side Real Vallodolid where he made three appearances.

Barcelona are looking to lower their wage bills this summer, with high-earners including Miralem Pjanic, Samuel Umtiti and Phillipe Coutinho all facing the prospect of leaving the club.

The club also still need to sign free agent Lionel Messi to a new contract.