Messi looking unlikely to move to Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi has broken his silence on his future following weeks of speculation that he could be moving to Chelsea, with the Guardian reporting that the Argentina international has branded talk of a move to Stamford Bridge as “lies” following his stunning performance in Barca’s crucial La Liga victory over champions Atletico Madrid on Sunday evening.
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With talk of Messi being unsettled at the Nou Camp and unhappy with the methods of new manager Luis Enrique having picked up pace following last weekend’s defeat at the hands of David Moyes and Real Sociedad, the rumour mill went into overdrive this week with talk of the multiple Ballon d’Or winner moving on.
Breaking his silence after a fine performance from both Messi and his team against Diego Simeone’s La Liga champions, Messi hit out at the rumours linking him with a Premier League move and reiterated his desire to stay at the Nou Camp:
“I have never demanded anything to stay because I don’t have any intention of going. I heard people say that my dad had spoken to Chelsea, to City … it’s all lies.”
Messi also hit out at the sources of the rumours, with former Barcelona assistant manager Henk Ten Cate possible the intended recipient of his ire, with Messi unhappy with the fact that the speculation about him had originated from people with close connections to the club:
“It hurts because it comes from people who [supposedly] love Barcelona. It’s people who want to hurt the club – and this time it did not come from Madrid, like other times, it has come from here. I have heard lots of things being said about me before and now. They make it look like I am the one who is in charge here when I am just another player.”