MESSI WILL STAY AT BARCA

There have been suggestions in the last few weeks that superstar Lionel Messi is happy at Barcelona both with his form and the club as a whole. This rumour comes up at a time when Barcelona have been going through crisis after crisis. After investigation surrounding the arrival of Neymar for the last few months, the club have been knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage. They suffered this 2-1 defeat on aggregate against Atletico Madrid that prevented from reaching their eighth consecutive semifinal.

Messi was largely anonymous in the match, as Barcelona appeared to play a tactics that did not suit him in both legs of the semi-final. As a result, there have been rumours that the superstar, who only recently signed a long-term contract, is unsettled at the club. Sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has been quick to deny such rumours by saying that Messi is not worried about the season unfolding in the worst possible manner. After the Champions League exit, Barcelona suffered a major setback in their ambitions to retain the league title after the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Granada.

Andoni Zubizarreta also chose to be conscious with his words when it came to the future of manager Martino, with whom the fans are displeased after the latest round of results.

“There is nothing wrong with [Messi]. He is happy with the club and with his teammates. His problem is that he has spoiled us. He is happy, training well, physically fine. He knows that football sets you challenges every week. Talks on his new contract are going reasonably well,” said the sporting director. “To fulfil his contract is to fulfill his contract. [Martino] has said he will do that. [Pep Guardiola] told me he would not be staying in May,” said Zubizarreta regarding Martino.

MESSI MISSING

Lionel Messi has been one of the best players in the world doubt, and it is not surprising to see even a club like Barcelona being reliant on the Argentine superstar. This has often seen him rushed back from major injuries in the hope of getting results. This has not been a major factor until now. He recently suffered the third injury of the season, which has prompted speculation that Barcelona are not handling him properly. Manager Gerardo Martino has rejected those speculation by saying that Barcelona will give all the time required to get Messi 100% fit.

Barcelona had to take off Messi after just 18 minutes on the clock in the recent win over Real Betis. Even though the team did not need the presence of the 26-year-old in order to complete the 4-1 win, this is a major blow for the club. It is rumoured that he has suffered a hamstring injury, which could keep him out for up to 2 months in the worst-case scenario. Martino has rejected speculation that the latest injury has occurred in the same leg, which caused him problems a month ago. Messi was out for a couple of weeks before being rushed back from the sidelines.

“This injury has nothing to do with his last one. This time he felt discomfort in his right leg. We have the best player in the world, but also four or five others who are among the best. Messi’s absence can never be an excuse,” said the manager regarding Messi’s injury. Barcelona are top of the table after managing at another three points, while their closest rivals Atletico Madrid dropped points in the 1-1 draw with Villarreal. Messi is at a disadvantage compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribery in the race for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award this season.