Lionel Messi threatens departure unless Barcelona president steps down

Lionel Messi’s latest feud with Barcelona’s sporting director and former teammate, Eric Abidal, has ignited a crisis at the Nou Camp with many reports suggesting the Argentine’s departure in the summer.

Abidal in a recent interview criticized the attitudes of several Barcelona players under former coach Ernesto Valverde, he, however, did not mention any names. He went on to say that as a former player, he noticed certain behaviours and informed the club about his opinion on the matter.

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"“Many players were not satisfied or didn’t work hard and there was also an internal communication issue, the relationship between manager and dressing room has always been good, but there are things that I can smell as a former player. I told the club what I thought and had to make a decision.” The French international told Diario Sport,Source BBC"

Messi, clearly unhappy with Abidal’s comments took it to Instagram to demand names form the former teammate,

"“I think that when talking about players, we should give names because otherwise, we are getting everyone dirty and feeding things that are said and are not true.”"

The Argentine told the global audience that Abidal’s comments about unnamed players hurt the whole squad morale and generating public opinions on the matter that do not exist. He also stated that the higher authority at the club must also take responsibilities for their actions,

"“Those responsible for the area of sports management must assume their responsibilities and above all take charge of the decisions they make.”"

This has sparked many reports suggesting a summer departure for the Barca captain is now up for debate. There is an existing clause in the 33-year-old’s current contract that allows him to leave at the end of this season for free.

El Chiringuito now reports that Messi has given the club his final verdict, threatening a departure unless Barca President Josep Maria Bartomeu resigns.

The club and country captain is unhappy with Bartomeu and his inability to land either an attacking reinforcement or Xavi Hernandez as the new coach in January. It remains to be seen who has the greater power at Camp Nou.

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