'No money': Lionel Messi's brutal truth bomb in telling admission
Lionel Messi has given the clearest indication yet about his future away from Barcelona after dropping a number of telling revelations about the Spanish club.
Messi says he won't make a decision on his long-term future at Barcelona until the season is over, however, he has revealed a burning desire to play elsewhere.
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In what may come as a shock to football fans around the world, Messi revealed his ambition to play football in America's MLS - a league where many of the world's biggest stars have finished their careers.
"I am going to wait until the end of the season (to decide)," the 33-year-old Messi told private Spanish station La Sexta.
"I would like to play in the United States and experience life and the league there, but ultimately come back to Barcelona in some capacity."
Messi's future has been the subject of intense speculation ever since the end of last season when he indicated he wanted out of Barcelona.
A legal dispute with his club ensued, with Barcelona eventually winning out after successfully arguing that a clause in his contact that would have allowed him to leave for free - had expired.
He put those plans to leave on hold as the club insisted on enforcing his 700 million euros ($A1.1 billion) exit clause should another club want to snap him up.
Messi changed his tune before the season started to say he was looking forward to working with Barcelona's new coach, Ronald Koeman.
"Now I am focused on winning titles instead of other things," Messi added in the rare interview.
Messi's commitment is a far cry from the summer when he looked certain to leave the club after falling out with the club hierarchy and branding Josep Maria Bartomeu's presidency a "disaster".
Messi said he would not publicly support any of the candidates who plan to run in club elections set for January 24.
Nor was he overly enthusiastic about the immediate prospects of the team, who sit fifth in La Liga.
"Let the best candidate win," Messi said.
"Whoever does will find a very difficult situation, it is not going to be easy to turn this around.
Messi plays down Neymar reunion
A reunion with Neymar at Barcelona as long been touted by football fans an an exciting possibility for Messi.
However, the 33-year-old has poured cold water over the idea after making a frank revelation about the dire financial situation the club finds itself in - exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis.
“To do that you need money, and there is no money. Neymar would cost a lot,” Messi said.
“I feel good right now, ready to fight for everything. I feel excited,” he said.
Barcelona reported losses of 97 million euros ($A155m) last season and sold off several veteran players, including Messi's strike partner and good friend Luis Suarez.
The interview with Spanish journalist Jordi Evole was recorded recently and aired hours after Barcelona announced that Messi would miss Tuesday's La Liga game against Eibar due to an unspecified ankle injury.
Messi - who from January 1 can negotiate with other clubs as his contract with Barcelona is set to expire in June - is reportedly in Argentina taking a short winter break after the club gave their players time off over Christmas.
After Eibar, Barcelona's next league match is at Huesca on January 3.
Messi has helped Barcelona win four Champions League and 10 Spanish league titles since his debut in 2004.
He recently broke legendary Brazilian Pele's record for most goals for a single club after netting an astonishing 644th strike in Barcelona's win against Real Valladolid.
with agencies
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