Lionel Messi to discuss future in 27 December TV interview

Nicholas Hughes

• Updated: 17 May 2021 21:15 BST
• 4 min read

Lionel Messi’s future at Barcelona could be about to become a whole lot clearer with the Argentine having spoken about his situation in an interview with Spanish journalist Jordi Evole.

The full interview will be released on Sunday December 27, and Barcelona fans will be hoping for a belated Christmas present in Messi announcing his desire to stay at Camp Nou.

Sport have revealed a preview of the interview, with Messi admitting the difficulty that has been the last few months since the club’s humbling Champions League exit and the highly-publicised transfer request.

“I have suffered and I have had a very bad time, at the end of last season and in the summer,” he said.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner admitted he “dragged on a bit” the transfer stand-off that ultimately saw president Josep Maria Bartomeu resign, with his replacement to be elected on January 24.

Barca fans may take encouragement from some of Messi’s other comments, where despite the struggles he has admitted he is fully behind the cause to compete for as many titles as possible.

The No.10 said he is feeling “excited, calm and eager” as he approaches the final six months of his Barca contract, but on the pitch he is desperate to “fight for all the titles at stake”.

“Today I’m fine and I feel like fighting seriously for everything that lies ahead, I’m excited,” he said.

The Blaugrana have endured a bumpy ride into the Christmas period, currently sitting in fifth-place in La Liga and a whole eight points back from leaders Atletico Madrid.

Lionel Messi’s Barcelona stats

Messi has scored two goals in the last three La Liga games and is up to six goals in total for the season, just two behind golden boot leader Gerard Moreno.

Given those comments and his affinity with the fans and the club built over 17 seasons, a move away that looked so certain in the summer now appears less likely.

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The names of Messi and Barcelona go hand in hand with each other, a symbiotic relationship that has brought about years of trophy-laden and record-breaking success.

It seems like the Argentine might not be ready to let that go just yet. Rumours have had him going to Manchester City or PSG in recent weeks, but rather than taking his talents elsewhere, Messi may be prepared to announce his future remains at the Nou Camp for one last dance.