For the first time in his career, reports about what’s happening off the pitch rather than on it spring to mind when Lionel Messi’s name is mentioned.
It’s been well-documented how Messi tried to engineer a move away from Camp Nou for free last summer, before making a shock U-turn and staying to avoid a legal battle with the club.
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The 33-year-old obviously still has plenty to offer having netted six goals in eleven appearances this season, but speculation over his future is a cloud that’s constantly hanging over Catalonia.
The rumours were brought back to the surface following news that Messi will play no part in Barca’s Champions League clash at Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.
Barca boss Ronald Koeman played the situation down, insisting the Argentine is being rested as Barcelona have amassed a maximum nine points from their group matches and look a shoo-in to reach the round-of-16 of the competition.
It’s a different story on the domestic front for Messi, however, who’s scored only three goals in eight LaLiga appearances, with Barcelona 12th in the Spanish top flight – albeit having played two fewer games than some sides.
And European football expert Andy Brassell believes Messi cuts a figure who doesn’t want to stay at the club he’s been with for nearly two decades.
The talkSPORT regular also suggested Barcelona need to let him leave next summer.
“He’s certainly not playing like someone who’s looking to cling on at Barcelona,” Brassell told Hawksbee and Jacobs.
“Barcelona are going to have to cut even more of the wage bill going into next season, which is easier said than done UNLESS you let the contract of by far your highest-earning player run out.
“And the reality is as things stand – can they even afford to re-sign him?
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“If you get to a point where you start letting fans back into the ground, if he was doing this Kobe Bryant-like victory lap… they could charge what they want to get in and let’s be fair, they need the money.”
Despite the fear Barca may have to let Messi go for financial reasons, one presidential candidate has made it clear he wants to keep the Argentine at Camp Nou.
In fact, Victor Font has already spoken with Man City’s chief executive Ferran Soriano to tell him a transfer to the Etihad will NOT happen should he be appointed Barca chief.
“I already told Soriano to forget about Messi, to look for alternatives to win the Champions League,” said Font. “Messi will continue with us and we will win the Champions League.”
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