Barcelona Rumors: 'Someone Wants To Mess Up' Lionel Messi, Management, Ex-President Says

A former Barcelona president has claimed that someone in the club just wants to mess things up for Lionel Messi and the board.

Over the past few days, talks of Messi's possible exit from Barcelona have dominated football headlines. However, former Barca president Joan Gaspart believes that this is just what some people within the club want the media to talk about.

In a recent interview with Besoccer.com, Gaspart was asked to comment on the current situation Barcelona is facing right now. According to the Spanish businessman, Messi’s loyalty will prevail and he, along with his family, will not leave the club in the near future.

But Gaspart also said that when Messi does eventually decide to call it quits, he could either head directly to retirement or take it easier career-wise.

"I'm not worried. Messi is happy in Barcelona, his family too. Maybe the situation is difficult, but his heart is in Barcelona. He will stay to help, but when he thinks he can't do it, he will decide to retire or go to another less competitive league," Gaspart said.

Having worked with the Barcelona board in the past, Gaspart is one of the people who knows the club better than most. After analyzing the situation, Gaspart is certain that someone is just trying to mess things up for Messi and the board as the election is fast approaching.

"I don't think we're that bad. It's an election year and someone wants to make a mess of it in front of the board. Here, if you do not win, everything is a failure," he concluded.

Gaspart may have opened up a new angle in the Messi saga. However, this doesn’t change the fact that Barcelona fans are now worried about the club’s future.

Shortly after the rumors spread, three clubs quickly emerged as Messi’s possible destinations.

Newell's Old Boys, an Argentina club where Messi spent the early days of his professional career, has already opened its doors for a potential reunion. Manchester City is also being mentioned as the idea of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner reuniting with his former coach, Pep Guardiola, makes sense.

On the other hand, some believe that a possible team-up with his longtime rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, is now being considered by Italian agents in Juventus.

Until then, Messi and Barcelona still need to position themselves on the right path to retain their La Liga title once again.