Lionel Messi delivered a brutal attack on Barcelona’s board after announcing he will stay at the Nou Camp this season to avoid taking the club to court.
The 33-year-old angrily accused president Josep Bartomeu of breaking a promise to him about being allowed to leave this summer and says his decision to quit was made during the season after the decline of the Spanish club over a period of years.
Manchester City will be among those closely looking at his situation in 2020/21 and will be able to negotiate a pre-contract in four months’ time when the world’s greatest player is within six months of his contract expiring.
Messi believed he could inform the club he was leaving on a free transfer during a post-season window, while Barca said they needed his request by June 10, even though football was still being played due to the season being delayed for the coronavirus pandemic. (NZHerald)