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| Lionel Messi (AFP-Yonhap News) |
Lionel Messi (33) and FC Barcelona are ending their uncomfortable cohabitation.
The British broadcaster BBC reported on the 29th (Korean time) that Messi said in an interview with Spanish broadcaster’Lassexta’ that he would leave Barcelona after this season.
In an interview, Messi said, “I don’t know what to do yet,” but “I’ll wait until the end of the season. I want to experience life and leagues there while playing in the United States, and I also want to return to Barcelona later when I can afford to play.”
Messi has been playing only in Barcelona since the age of 13 for over 20 years.
Since his debut in the first team in the 2004-2005 season, he has scored a whopping 644 goals in 17 seasons and has won several championships, including 10 in the regular league, 6 in the King’s Cup, and 4 in the European Football Federation (UEFA) Champions League.
But now Messi is not comfortable in Barcelona.
He declared separation from the club this year, leaving the contract term for one year, but after confronting the club over the unilateral termination option and minimum transfer fee provisions in the contract, he decided to remain with the team until the contract period, June 30, 2021.
The conflict was settled when Chairman Josef Bartomeu resigned in October, but Messi’s heart seems to have already left Barcelona.
“The days of Bartomeu were catastrophic,” Messi said. “The people inside know that the situation for the club is not very good and it will be difficult to go back to it.”
If Messi doesn’t change his mind, he can start negotiating with overseas clubs in January.
It is predicted that rich clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain (France) and Manchester City (England) will be his next destination.
“The important thing right now is to get the season done well,” Messi said. “I’ll focus on winning the trophy.” (yunhap news)
