Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu responded to a storm of hypothesis by saying on Tuesday that the membership had “an obligation to re-sign” Lionel Messi, calling him “the perfect participant in historical past”. “Usually we don’t clarify the discussions with gamers however it’s evident that now we have the duty to re-sign him”, Bartomeu informed Catalan radio station Rac1. “He’s the perfect participant in historical past. He has a few years of soccer left.” Bartomeu additionally stated Barca coach Quique Setien would hold his job regardless of a run of unconvincing type since La Liga’s restart that has seen the reigning champions lose prime spot to Actual Madrid.
The president stated he was proud of the path of the membership and maintained he had been proper to interchange Ernesto Valverde in January.
Bartomeu additionally stated Barcelona try to have the second leg of the Champions League second leg in opposition to Napoli performed on the Camp Nou as an alternative of at a impartial venue.
Final week, one other radio station, Cadena Ser, reported that Messi had damaged off negotiations on extending his contract, which runs till 2021, and was pondering of leaving Barcelona.
The report stated Messi was annoyed with the membership’s failure to construct a profitable squad and was bored with leaks from the membership which paint him in a nasty mild. He was additionally reportedly upset at experiences that the gamers had obtained Valverde fired.
However Bartomeu stated: “I see a relaxed Leo… He has stated many occasions that he desires to complete (his profession) at Barca.”
“Win one after which the opposite”
Bartomeu, who should stand down in 2021, insisted that he sees Messi “retiring at Barca below one other president as a result of he’ll signal for an additional spell.”
Bartomeu stated he spoke to his captain on Saturday.
“I speak to the gamers fairly often. Not solely with Leo, but in addition with the group, particularly with the captains. Moreover, these days now we have a whole lot of subjects to speak about,” stated Bartomeu.
Earlier than beating Villarreal Four-1 on Sunday, Barcelona had drawn three of their earlier 4 matches and slipped 4 factors behind Actual within the title race, placing Setien below strain.
“Setien will proceed, after all,” stated Bartomeu. “I’m fairly proud of the event we’re exhibiting within the video games regardless of the attracts.
“I don’t remorse the change of Valverde. The workforce wanted a lift. Setien is aware of our DNA, the mannequin and he has introduced recent air and new concepts and is working arduous,” stated Bartomeu earlier than including that “coaches, evidently, want outcomes.”
“If La Liga, which will likely be tough, just isn’t received then comes the Champions League in August. Now we have to attempt to win one after which the opposite,” stated Bartomeu.
He stated that Barca try to make sure dwelling benefit for the second leg of the Champions League tie in opposition to Napoli. The golf equipment drew the primary leg 1-1 in Naples on February 25 earlier than the season was interrupted.
Promoted
“We’re combating for the second leg of the spherical of 16 to be performed on the Camp Nou. UEFA, if the state of affairs is regular, is aware of that we’d play right here,” Bartomeu stated
In Spain, one of many international locations most affected by the pandemic, one of many primary outbreaks has been in an inland space of Catalonia, the place regional authorities on Saturday introduced the isolation of some 200,000 inhabitants in an space across the metropolis of Lerida, about 150 kilometres (93 miles) west of Barcelona.
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