Having come close to leaving the Camp Nou last summer, 33-year-old Lionel Messi’s future remains uncertain, and much could depend on the outcome of Sunday’s Barcelona presidential election regarding their greatest ever player.
The Barcelona talisman is out of contract on June 30 and has been heavily linked with PSG and Manchester City, particularly the former in view of the latest news reports that Messi has been looking at residential properties in the French capital.
Barcelona members will vote on a permanent successor to Josep Maria Bartomeu this weekend with former president Joan Laporta being the frontrunner stating that Messi will leave unless he is restored to the role he previously occupied between 2003 and 2010.
“I have a great relationship with Leo and he will consider whatever proposal I make,” Laporta said earlier this week.
“If I don’t win, I am sure that Leo will not stay at Barcelona. Messi will weigh up the offer we make him.
“I’m convinced that if the other candidates win, Messi will not remain at Barcelona.
“He wasn’t happy during [rival candidate, Toni] Freixa’s time on the board.
“He’s [Messi] not guided just by money. He wants a competitive team to win. I’m sure he’ll listen to my offer, just as I am [sure] that if someone else wins he will leave.”
Messi will apparently hold talks with the winner of Sunday’s election and then make a decision on his future next week, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Regardless, PSG and Manchester City will be closely monitoring events in the Catalan capital in the coming days as Messi has been free to sign a pre-contract agreement with non-La Liga sides since January 1.
The Argentine international has put off discussions about his future until now, but with less than four months remaining on his deal, Messi is expected to address the issue soon.