With tensions galore at Barcelona, reports indicate Lionel Messi has called off renewing contract negotiations and is ready to leave the Catalan giants when his deal expires in 2021.
ESPN FC’s Sid Lowe and Frank Leboeuf delve deeper into whether Messi will actually leave Barca and comment on the rising tensions at the club over recent seasons, headlined by the January sacking of Ernesto Valverde and reported rifts with current manager Quique Setien.
Could Barcelona still compete against Real Madrid in La Liga without the Argentine? Leboeuf and Lowe say it’s “huge” that Messi would even consider leaving for a move to Argentina, Major League Soccer or even Qatar.
