Carles Puyol claims Lionel Messi will stay at Barcelona for years

Barcelona legend Carles Puyol gives his opinion on Lionel Messi exit talks.

There is one thing on every Barcelona fan’s mind that still haunts them, will their star man, their legend, Lionel Messi, leave them after the current season is over? The Argentine man wanted an exit from the club following their embarrassing UEFA Champions League exit, however, club president Josep Bartomeu informed the public that Messi’s contract was in fact invalid and that he could not leave on a free transfer.

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Messi had a release clause in his contract which allowed him to leave for free after the end of a season if he so chooses. However, the board decided that since the season was extended, according to the dates, his clause could no longer be triggered. This left Messi quite upset and a lawsuit was almost going to take place. The number 10 ultimately decided not to take his beloved club to court and instead honour his last year.

Many believe that the legend will in fact leave the club next season in order to reunite with Pep Guardiola in Manchester City. Carles Puyol on the other hand thinks that Messi will not leave the club and continue his career in Spain for “many years”.

"“Like any fan, I did not want Messi to leave, but this is football,”“In the end he decided to stay. He recently said that he is motivated, that he wants to win and we hope he can continue with us for many years.”Source Goal"

The ex-Barcelona defender was actually one of the players who showed his support for the six-time Ballon d’Or player when it was announced that he might leave. In a tweet made on the 25th of August he wrote, “Respect and admiration Leo. All my support man”. The former captain now believes that the forward will remain in Camp Nou for years to come.

Though Ronald Koeman and Messi had a rough beginning to their relationship, it now seems like things have cooled down a bit and the forward is making progress with the new formation and the new tactics. Although we should not rule out the possibilities of an exit, it may be very possible that the player remains in Barcelona as it is home and the club is like an extension of his family.

Will Messi leave Barca in 2021 or stay until retirement?