Over the last few weeks, the plot has thickened over Leo Messi’s possible departure from FC Barcelona and the saga seems unlikely to end anytime soon. Jorge Messi, Leo’s father and agent flew to Spain to hold talks with Josep Bartomeu and the Argentine has finally come out with a statement saying he is going to stay at Barcelona for the next season.
In a candid interview with Goal, Messi said,"I wasn't happy and I wanted to leave. I have not been allowed this in any way and I will STAY at the club so as not to get into a legal dispute. The management of the club led by Bartomeu is a disaster". Ripping into the club president Bartomeu, Messi said there is no vision at the club, obviously referring to Barcelona’s repeated waywardness in the transfer window and their damning losses to Roma, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the Champions League over the last few years.
He further continued, “The truth is that there is no project at this club. They just plug holes as and when things happen. I would never go for a war against the club of my life. That's why I'm staying". With this line, Messi clarified that he would stay for another season and see out the remainder of his contract. With Manchester City reportedly close to signing him this summer, it would be interesting to see the drama that unfolds next summer when Messi is a free agent.
Messi reiterated that he has been keen to leave for a while now, saying,” I told to the club, to the president in particular, that I wanted to leave. They know this since the start of the past season. I told them during all last 12 months. But I will stay here because I don't want to start a legal war". The war Messi is referring to, is obviously the alleged 700 million euros release clause that his contract reportedly has but one that both and his father, Jorge has denied. La Liga also weighed in on this debate, clarifying they support Barcelona’s claim of the existence of this clause and that any club wanting to buy Messi this summer would have to pay that eye-watering amount to secure his services.
In the end, as it stands Messi is set to continue at Barcelona for another season but it remains to be seen the kind of impact his explosive interview with Goal will have on the club’s prospects the next season. Keep watching this space for more updates!
