The Argentine had been heavily linked with a move away from the Nou Camp.
Barcelona skipper Lionel Messi has decided to stay put at Barcelona and pointed out the reasons for such a decision.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Goal, the Argentine addressed his transfer rumours, stating that he would stay at Barca for the upcoming season.
“I will continue at Barca and my attitude will not change no matter how much I have wanted to go. I will do my best.”
“I always want to win, I’m competitive and I don’t like to lose anything. I always want the best for the club, for the dressing room and for myself.
“That’s good, but then we have to see how the team responds and whether or not it will allow us to compete at the top level. What I can say is that I’m staying and I’m going to give my best for Barcelona.”
The 33-year-old had been linked with an exit after reports emerged that he had told the club that he would not continue beyond the summer.
However, the Argentine’s reported 700 million euros release clause proved to be a hindrance for his transfer, as both Barca hierarchy and La Liga stated that the valuation has to be met to move away from the club.
Messi also said that he didn’t want to go to trial against the club he adored throughout his lifetime.
“And this is the reason why I am going to continue in the club. Now I am going to continue in the club because the president told me that the only way to leave was to pay the €700 million clause and that this is impossible.”
“There was another way and it was to go to trial. I would never go to court against Barca because it is the club that I love, which gave me everything since I arrived, it is the club of my life, I have made my life here.”
Messi also went on a tirade against Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu for his inefficient management, stating that there hasn’t been a winning project for a while.
