Lionel Messi will see his Barcelona contract end at the end of the season in 2021, and reports from Spain indicated that the Argentine superstar could be leaving the Catalan giants. Messi's side is trailing La Liga leader Real Madrid in the race to the title and is unlikely to catch up, which could further convince the Barca captain to exit.
The last four league matches played by Barcelona saw the team settling for three draws, which allowed Real to snatch the lead from the defending champions. The club's performance so far showcased a poor form and highlighted at the same time Messi's uninspired relationship with team manager Quique Setien.
Sport Bible said Messi has become unhappy with the deteriorating situation at Camp Nou. He detested the recent leaked stories that did not respect his privacy and the suggestion he was at fault for the misfortunes plaguing Barcelona at the moment.
Most of all, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner seemed to grow tired of absorbing setbacks under the current Camp Nou leadership. Messi was supposed to ink a two-year extension before hi contract with Barca ends in 2021, but he has a change of heart.
The chance is higher that the skipper will head to the exit door once the campaign for next season comes to an end, the report added, citing the story published by Spanish publication Cadena Ser.
It was alleged that Messi has intimated to friends his frustrations that Barcelona has not been winning lately and concluded that if he is part of the problem, then leaving the club should be an option.
The Barca superstar has been sparring with club executives in the previous months. When sporting director Eric Abidal came out with insinuations that certain Barcelona players instigated the ouster of former coach Ernesto Valverde, Messi came to his teammates' defense and started a word-war with Abidal.
Messi also defended the roster from criticisms during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. After reports came out that players were unwilling to take a pay cut, the Argentine took to social media and explained a deal on the matter was only delayed to come with the best possible solution.
In the end, the roster agreed to a 70% salary reduction that will take effect across the board, and Messi took time to score some in the Barcelona leadership that he claimed were sowing intrigues to undermine the players.
If the reports will prove correct, the Barca star stands to walk away from a possible deal that could potentially offer him a higher compensation. Already, Messi collects a weekly paycheck of £500,000 from his club, The Daily Mail reported.
The huge earnings, however, are seen to convince the superstar to stay with an organization that has increasingly become stressful. Per the same report, Messi's feud with Setien also extends to other Barca stars like Antoine Griezmann.
In leaving Barcelona, Messi could return to Argentina and rejoin his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys. He can also reunite with former boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City or accept the standing offer from David Beckham to play at the MLS in the United States.
