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Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has mentioned it is his obligation to resume Lionel Messi‘s contract earlier than his mandate expires subsequent summer time.
Messi’s deal can be up in 2021 and a report on Spanish radio last week prompt the ahead is as soon as once more contemplating his future at Camp Nou.
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Sources subsequently confirmed to ESPN that Messi is indignant with the membership’s entrance workplace about leaks that counsel he has an excessive amount of energy and make him seem accountable for occasions on the membership, together with the January sacking of Ernesto Valverde.
Nonetheless, Bartomeu expressed his perception that Messi will stay at Barca for a lot of extra years, declaring that he is frequently spoken about his need to retire in Catalonia.
“It is true he [only] has a contract till June 2021,” Bartomeu told RAC1 on Tuesday. “We do not like to clarify [contractual] conditions normally nevertheless it’s apparent that we’re obliged to resume Messi’s deal.
“He is the very best participant ever. He is received a few years of soccer left forward of him. Leo has mentioned many instances that he needs to retire at Barcelona — and I haven’t got any doubt that he’ll. And never with me, however with one other president.”
Messi, 33, has twice gone public along with his frustrations on social media. In February, he criticised sporting director Eric Abidal for suggesting participant energy was concerned within the dismissal of Valverde.
Then, in March, when the gamers agreed a 70% wage lower in the course of the coronavirus pandemic, he released a statement, in collaboration along with his teammates, accusing the membership of releasing misinformation to place strain on the squad to simply accept a wage discount that they at all times meant to take.
On the pitch, in the meantime, he has referred to as for a “profitable challenge” that may assist him win the Champions League for the primary time since 2015. Talking earlier than the coronavirus halted soccer, he mentioned that “taking part in like this, we can’t win the Champions League.”
The Champions League could also be Barca’s solely hope of silverware this season after falling 4 factors behind Real Madrid on the high of La Liga with 4 video games to go.
Failure to win a trophy this season would additional improve the strain on Quique Setien, who changed Valverde in January with the group high of the desk, however Bartomeu insists the coach has his full confidence.
“Quique will proceed,” he mentioned. “I am proud of the evolution that has been proven in these video games regardless of the attracts. I’ve seen an enchancment in latest video games and I hope it continues that approach. If we do not win La Liga, there’s nonetheless the Champions League.
“I do not remorse the change from Valverde. The group wanted to be given new impetus. Setien is a agency defender of the Barca mannequin and has a DNA that matches. He is introduced new concepts and is working exhausting.”
On attainable summer time signings, Bartomeu mentioned it is “unlikely” a deal for Paris Saint-Germain‘s Neymar shall be attainable within the present monetary local weather, however he refused to discuss a attainable transfer for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.
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