Lionel Messi’s current deal at Barcelona will expire in 2021.
Earlier this month, El País reported the forward could leave Camp Nou on a free transfer at the end of the season. This was also confirmed by the club’s president, Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Catalan newspaper Sport had an opportunity to sit down for an interview with the Argentine and the first question thrown to the 32-year-old was whether there should be any worry about his potential exit next summer.
“I can’t really confirm anything because in the contracts there is a confidentiality clause that nothing can be said. If I speak, I would be breaking that clause,” he explained.
“What I can say is that I want to be in Barcelona as much as I can, do my entire career here because this is my home.
“Nor do I want to have a long contract and stay here just because I have a contract, but because I want to be physically well, play and be important and see that there is a winning project.
“I want to keep winning things in the club, I want to keep getting important things. And for me the clause or the money means nothing. I move for other things. The most important thing for me is to have a winning project.”
When further quizzed if it means his contract will be renewed every year, Messi said: “The contract was made long ago. My idea is to continue here as long as I am able to perform.
Though Barcelona have been winning domestic competitions regularly over the past few years, they last won the Champions League in 2015. Messi has stressed the importance of having a tempting project for him to continue at the club.
“Obviously. I want to win. And I want to win in this club. This is my home. I have no intention of moving anywhere but I want to continue competing and winning,” the attacker added.
Barcelona were in contention to win the treble last season, but lost the Copa del Rey final to Valencia, and Liverpool eliminated them in the Champions League semi-final, despite having a 3-0 lead from the first leg. Messi indicates the 4-0 defeat at Anfield was not Ernesto Valverde’s fault.
“As I said at the time, it was the players’ fault. It had nothing to do with the game we did in Anfield and the result. Until then we had a great season, dominating the league from start to finish, qualifying for the cup final … And it was more our thing than the coach,” Messi stressed.
