Lionel Messi To Give Barcelona, PSG And Man City Answer At The End Of The Season
Lionel Messi will give Barcelona and would-be suitors an answer on his next move at the end of the season.
The 33-year-old congratulated Joan Laporta on winning the club presidency on Monday but Sportsmail understands that turn of events has not changed Messi’s plans.
Messi voted in the election having been critical of the previous regime under Josep Maria Bartomeu, who he accused of going back on his word last summer when the Barcelona talisman announced his desire to leave.
Laporta told reporters on Monday that he is convinced Messi would like to stay yet the brilliant Argentine remains torn and will make his decision at the end of the season.
Interest remains from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain though Messi, his father Jorge and representatives are not in talks with any suitors at the moment.
They remain open minded to both options with sources close to the player saying he is ’50/50 whether to stay at Barcelona at this stage’.
Though Messi would be on a free transfer, his wages are considerable and that would be an obstacle for any club particularly under the current climate and absence of crowd revenue.
Barcelona are crippled by debt and Messi is their biggest earner on wages reported to be around £77million a year.
Messi, who has won the Ballon d’Or six times, has helped Barcelona to 23 major trophies including 10 LaLiga’s, four Champions Leagues, six Copa del Rey’s and three Club World Cups during a stellar career.