Lionel Messi has officially announced he is staying at Barcelona until the contract expires in June 2021, but blasted President Josep Maria Bartomeu because ‘there has been no project for a long time.'
Messi spoke exclusively to Goal.com about his situation, confessing his wife and children were distraught when he told them that he wanted to move on.
Lionel Messi has officially announced he is staying at Barcelona until the contract expires in June 2021, but blasted President Josep Maria Bartomeu because ‘there has been no project for a long time.'
Messi spoke exclusively to Goal.com about his situation, confessing his wife and children were distraught when he told them that he wanted to move on.
“But I looked further afield and I want to compete at the highest level, win titles, compete in the Champions League. You can win or lose in it, because it is very difficult, but you have to compete.
“At least compete for it and let us not fall apart in Rome, Liverpool, Lisbon. All that led me to think about that decision that I wanted to carry out.
“I thought and was sure that I was free to leave, the President always said that at the end of the season I could decide if I stayed or not,” he said.
“Now they cling to the fact that I did not say it before June 10, when it turns out that on June 10 we were competing for La Liga in the middle of this awful coronavirus and this disease altered all the season.
“And this is the reason why I am going to continue in the club. Now I am going to continue in the club because the president told me that the only way to leave was to pay the €700 million (£624m/$823m) clause, and that this is impossible."
You can read more from Messi's interview and the fall-out via Football Espana.
“There was another way and it was to go to trial," he added. “I would never go to court against Barca because it is the club that I love, which gave me everything since I arrived.
“There was nothing wrong with wanting to leave. I needed it, the club needed it and it was good for everyone.
“I love Barcelona and I'm not going to find a better place than here anywhere. Still, I have the right to decide. I was going to look for new goals and new challenges. And tomorrow I could go back, because here in Barcelona I have everything.”
A legal battle had opened up between the iconic player and his club when he sent a burofax demanding to leave, citing a release clause in the contract valid a year from the expiry date.
However, Barcelona and La Liga were adamant that clause had expired, so he could only leave for the original €700m release clause.
His father Jorge spoke with Barca President Bartomeu this week, but failed to break the impasse, and some even suggested it was all a ploy to force Bartomeu into resigning.
“Of course I had a hard time deciding. It does not come from the Bayern result, it comes from many things,” continued Messi on Goal.com. “I always said I wanted to end here and I always said I wanted to stay here. That I wanted a winning project and to win titles with the club, to continue expanding the legend of Barcelona.
“And the truth is that there has been no project or anything for a long time, they juggle and cover holes as things go by. As I said before, I always thought about the welfare of my family and the club.”
Inter, Juventus and PSG were interested in snapping up Messi as a free agent, but Manchester City were by far the favourites due to the presence of former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.
La Pulga might be staying on until June 2021, but he does so under duress and having clearly stated his desire to leave after 20 years, so it remains to be seen what the atmosphere will be like for this season.
“I will continue at Barca and my attitude will not change no matter how much I have wanted to go. I will do my best.”
The 33-year-old joined Barcelona from the Newell’s Old Boys academy in the summer of 2000, as a 13-year-old, and pledged his career to them in part as gratitude for their help in getting him treatment for a growth hormone deficiency.