While some were having Sky Blue dreams involving Leo Messi and Pep Guardiola getting reunited at Manchester City while others were drawing up gofundme donations to 'bail' Messi out of Barcelona, the Argentine great announced today that he will be staying put at the Blaugrana for the upcoming season.
Making a statement by wearing sandals and gym shorts, Messi took no prisoners as he tore into Josep Bartomeu, who he claims dishonoured a gentleman's agreement about allowing him to leave the club without invoking the €700m release clause, and also criticised the running of the club, stating that Barca 'just plug holes as and when things happen'.
Naturally, the reactions were many and varied to an announcement that followed such anticipation and speculation over the past few weeks, and we rounded up some of the best ones!
Messi has gone full blast on Bartomeu. This is as vocal as he has ever been.
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) September 4, 2020
Messi has long lived by the Med near a superb city where, unlike FCB president Bartomeu, he's utterly adored. Messi's family are settled, the world is not. He's sport's best paid performer; still the star in the biggest football stadium of the big leagues. That's a lot to leave.
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) September 4, 2020
Well this is awkward #Messi
— Jamie Gardner (@PAJamieGardner) September 4, 2020
Of all the people in the world, 7 or so billion, Lionel Messi chose his dad to represent him legally to negotiate his way out of that contract. Not an experienced agent, lawyer, team of experts. His dad.
— Jake Gallagher (@MatchoftheDave) September 4, 2020
Always said Messi would stay in the end. Is he getting $1 million a week now? That’s the real question https://t.co/qQnbQ8B45a
— Brendan Dunlop (@Brendan_Dunlop) September 4, 2020
Messi wore sandals and gym shorts to the interview where he dunked on the team president. Just rolled in and started firing shots at everyone. This is how you know he’s the GOAT. pic.twitter.com/IAmxbdmvJS
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) September 4, 2020
Also, if all this is accurate, let this Messi saga be a lesson. Never trust promises when terms are written down on paper. I assume Messi has a lawyer who wasn't blindsided by the impact of COVID on his contract, if he really wanted to leave all year. https://t.co/4zn0qsRewV pic.twitter.com/f95Ed3zXaF
— Miriti Murungi (@NutmegRadio) September 4, 2020
Clearly #Messi is not happy about staying back. Says he is being forced to stay back. The drama may still not be over. He may still leave at the end of next season. https://t.co/VQ3GXxexdI
— Sameer Hashmi (@sameerhashmi) September 4, 2020
Bartomeu said that he would resign if Messi came out and said he wanted it so.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) September 4, 2020
We are waiting!
Whatever about staying or going. For what Messi has given Barcelona, and what they’ve given him, I think he comes across pretty poorly to be honest. There’s ways to leave a club after a long time, and this ain’t it.
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) September 4, 2020
Man City fans on Messi:
— Ryan Crouch (@crouchy7ryan) September 4, 2020
‘We didn’t want him anyway!’ pic.twitter.com/NDkeizUSUL
This is an opportunity missed... for Messi and Barca, both.
— Bobby Ghosh (@ghoshworld) September 4, 2020
Messi: I want to leave Barcelona
— Michael Lahoud (@MikeLahoud) September 4, 2020
Messi: On second thought, I’ll stay for one more year
This is so 2020 🤷🏿♂️
i know a lot of people are doing lol messi today but i feel like barca are the true nincompoops in all this. like yay you kept your greatest ever player ... by threatening extended legal action?
— Nate Scott (@aNateScott) September 4, 2020
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lluis Gene
