Lionel Messi unwilling to stay at Barcelona: report

(REUTERS): Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has halted the negotiations over renewing his contract with the club and has reportedly decided to leave the Catalans when his current contract expires in June 2021, according to a report.

According to Spanish journalist, Manu Carreño, the talks between Messi’s father and Barcelona president Bartomeu appeared to be going well, however, the Argentinean no longer wishes to stay at the Camp Nou.

The reports further informed that Lionel Messi has frustrated by all the problems surrounding the club, the leaked media reports, the toxic atmosphere that constantly surrounds the dressing room, and the squad’s lack of quality.

Messi is also said to be angry at the sporting decisions taken by the club. He feels that the club has failed to provide the right players to support him. “His differences with Sporting Director Eric Abidal and disagreements with coach Setién are well-known,” the report added.  

The Argentinean feels that people are blaming him for influencing the team selection, in order to choose players he’s closer to, such as Luis Suárez and Arturo Vidal, in detriment to Antoine Griezmann.

Earlier on Tuesday, Messi had scored his 700th career goal against Atletico Madrid, but the milestone strike ended in disappointment as Barca drew the game 2-2.

Barcelona trail Real Madrid by four points in the title race with five games remaining after Real beat Getafe 1-0 on Thursday.