According to OYOGist.com, Barcelona Lionel Messi has reportedly called off negotiations over renewing his contract with the club. According to ESPN, the World’s Best Player is now ready to leave the Catalans when his deal expires in 2021.
Reports from Spanish radio network Cadena Ser also revealed that Messi’s father, by the name Jorge, had begun discussing the renewal of his last deal which was signed in 2017, but they no longer wish to advance the negotiation.
Reasons were that Messi is angry with Barcelona’s authorities about leaked media reports that made him seem responsible for events at the club. Barcelona media reports blamed Messi for being responsible for the January sacking of coach Ernesto Valverde and that he (Messi), is frustrated about the squad’s lack of quality.
Notwithstanding, it could be recalled that Lionel Messi in January hit out at sporting director Eric Abidal, whom Messi said had implied players had a hand in Valverde sacking, and in an interview in February, Lionel Messi declared that the current Barcelona team wasn’t good enough to win this season’s Champions League.
Lionel Messi who is renowned to be a shy man has been very vocal in the past few months, and had even criticised Barcelona board of directors for implying players were not willing to accept a pay cut to help the team’s financial crisis during the current COVID-19 outbreak.
Many have reacted over the news and have suggested teams that would suit him when he leaves in 2021 when his contract expires. Pundits claim Manchester city might make a move, or the likes of Chelsea or Manchester United.
