Messi has been at Barcelona for his entire professional career spanning close to 20 years and Barcelona presidential hopeful Victor Font says it would be a “very positive surprise” if the Argentine stays with the Spanish giants according to the latest buzz at the Nou Camp.
Messi, 33, told Barcelona Tuesday last week that he wants to end their 20-year association this summer but recent reports are suggesting the Argentina international could now stay on at the club, but Font feels this is unlikely.
“It would be a surprise because it seems his decision is firm,” Font said.
“It would be a very positive surprise. But, as I’ve always said until it is done there is always hope, so let’s keep hoping this will be the case.”
Messi and Barcelona are in dispute over a clause in his contract and if he is not entitled to a free transfer, interested parties would need Barcelona to accept far less than his buy-out clause of 700m euros (£622m).
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague notes that Messi’s representatives are set to confirm that the clause is valid. And Spanish newspaper Marca reported on Friday that if Messi’s exit cannot be mutually agreed upon, then he is left with no alternative but to seriously consider staying for one more year at Barcelona, and then leave on a free transfer next summer.
Manchester City are favourites to sign the six-time Ballon d’Or winner should he decide to leave and Font, who is hoping to take over from current president Josep Bartomeu, believes the chance for him to link up with ex-Barca boss Pep Guardiola is a huge draw for the player.
“What Messi wants is to compete and to win,” he told BBC Sport.
“I am sure that he knows one of the best coaches he has had is Pep and therefore he trusts that Pep can help him win again.
“Manchester City is one of the strongest squads in Europe these days and I think that the combination of that and Pep’s leadership is probably why Messi is thinking that would be a good option.”