Barca Chief Reacts To Speculation On Messi's Departure, Opens Up On His Captain’s Future

FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed that Lionel Messi will end his career at Nou Camp amid speculations about the Argentinian's possible departure as a free agent in 2021.

Although Messi has said several times that he sees himself ending his career at Barcelona, the recent developments have not helped that cause. The Barcelona captain, whose contract is due to expire in 2021, is immensely frustrated with the way the club is being run and the fact that he has not signed a new deal yet is the testimony to the troubles in Barca’s paradise.

Some reports have suggested that big European clubs such as Manchester United, City, and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are already gearing up to grab the opportunity to rope in arguably the best player in the world. Following Leroy Sane’s departure to Bayern Munich, there is a vacant spot in Man City’s front line where Messi could be a perfect fit. Messi’s great relationship with Pep Guardiola further strengthens Man City’s case in Messi’s transfer.

Although Messi has not said anything about an exit publicly, Barcelona’s results this season are understood to be pushing Messi closer to the decision of leaving his boyhood club. Barcelona failed to win the Spanish trophy Copa del Rey this season, having won six out of last 10 editions including four consecutive victories. The La Liga defending champions have now also fallen four points behind leaders-- Real Madrid, who have not won the league title since 2017.

However, under-fire Barcelona chief Bartomeu has said he is confident Messi will sign a new contract and see out his playing days as a Catalan player.

“I am not going to give details but Messi has said many times that he will end his football life in Barcelona. We are focused on [the] competition and there are negotiations with many players. Messi wants to continue and wants to end [his career] here. He has many years left and we are going to enjoy him for much longer,” Bartomeu said in a recent interview.

Messi has scored 27 goals in 38 games across all competitions for Barcelona this season. In Barca’s recent 4-1 win over Villarreal in La Liga, he assisted in two goals and that took his assist tally to 19 this season – the most of his career to date.