Lionel Messi Explains Reason for His Poor Form
Argentine and Barcelona skipper Lionel Messi says his failed attempt to leave Barcelona in the last transfer window has affected his form this season. In the last transfer window Messi said he wanted to exercise a clause in his contract which he said allowed him to leave on a free transfer.
But the Spanish club side said his 700m euro (£624m) release clause had to be met first before they can let him go. According to him, he said: “I dragged everything into the start of the season a bit.”
The 33-year-old also said: “The truth is right now I’m feeling fine, but in the summer I had a very bad time.”
Lionel Messi equalled Pele’s record of 643 goals for a club by scoring for Barcelona in Saturday’s draw against Valencia. It was Messi’s ninth goal in 17 appearances this season for Barcelona, who are fifth in La Liga.
The Argentine can leave Barcelona for free when his contract runs out at the end of the season, is able to negotiate with other clubs from 1 January.
Barcelona interim president Carlos Tusquets, who took over until elections in January after Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned in October, has said that “economically speaking” Messi should have been sold in the summer.
Messi said: “Right now I’m feeling good and looking forward to fighting for every competition we have ahead.” He further said: “I know the club is in a difficult moment at the institutional level and on the pitch and everything surrounding Barca right now is difficult, but I’m feeling excited.”