Barcelona (dpa) - According to a media report, Lionel Messi is said to be in the dark about a future at FC Barcelona.
At a meeting with the new coach Ronald Koeman, the Catalans superstar is said to have told him that he would see himself more outside the club in the near future than in the club. Messi is also aware of the contractual situation, reported the Catalan private broadcaster RAC1.
After the disastrous 8-2 in the quarter-finals of the Champions League against FC Bayern, Messi has not commented publicly on his future. The contract of the 33-year-old Argentine, who came from Rosario to the Catalan metropolis 20 years ago and became a six-time world footballer at FC Barcelona, is still valid until the end of June next year.
Speculation that Messi might leave the club has been around for a long time. With the bankruptcy against Bayern they picked up speed. Koeman, who should lead the club to success again, wants to build a squad around Messi. Club boss Josep Bartomeu had recently vigorously rejected the rumors of Messi's departure when the 57-year-old ex-Barça professional Koeman was presented.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 200820-99-245934 / 2
RAC1 report