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Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu responded to a storm of hypothesis by saying on Tuesday that the membership had “an obligation to re-sign” Lionel Messi, calling him “the best player in history”. “Normally we do not explain the discussions with players but it is evident that we have the obligation to re-sign him”, Bartomeu instructed Catalan radio station Rac1. “He is the best player in history. He has many years of football left.” Bartomeu additionally mentioned Barca coach Quique Setien would hold his job regardless of a run of unconvincing kind since La Liga’s restart that has seen the reigning champions lose high spot to Real Madrid.
The president mentioned he was pleased with the course of the membership and maintained he had been proper to switch Ernesto Valverde in January.
Bartomeu additionally mentioned Barcelona are attempting to have the second leg of the Champions League second leg towards Napoli performed on the Camp Nou as an alternative of at a impartial venue.
Last week, one other radio station, Cadena Ser, reported that Messi had damaged off negotiations on extending his contract, which runs till 2021, and was pondering of leaving Barcelona.
The report mentioned Messi was annoyed with the membership’s failure to construct a successful squad and was bored with leaks from the membership which paint him in a foul mild. He was additionally reportedly upset at experiences that the gamers had received Valverde fired.
But Bartomeu mentioned: “I see a relaxed Leo… He has said many times that he wants to finish (his career) at Barca.”
“Win one and then the other”
Bartomeu, who should stand down in 2021, insisted that he sees Messi “retiring at Barca under another president because he will sign for another spell.”
Bartomeu mentioned he spoke to his captain on Saturday.
“I talk to the players very often. Not only with Leo, but also with the group, especially with the captains. Besides, lately we have a lot of topics to talk about,” mentioned Bartomeu.
Before beating Villarreal 4-1 on Sunday, Barcelona had drawn three of their earlier 4 matches and slipped 4 factors behind Real within the title race, placing Setien underneath strain.
“Setien will continue, of course,” mentioned Bartomeu. “I am quite happy with the development we are showing in the games despite the draws.
“I don’t remorse the change of Valverde. The staff wanted a lift. Setien is aware of our DNA, the mannequin and he has introduced recent air and new concepts and is working arduous,” said Bartomeu before adding that “coaches, evidently, want outcomes.”
“If La Liga, which shall be troublesome, is just not received then comes the Champions League in August. We must attempt to win one after which the opposite,” said Bartomeu.
He said that Barca are trying to ensure home advantage for the second leg of the Champions League tie against Napoli. The clubs drew the first leg 1-1 in Naples on February 25 before the season was interrupted.
Promoted
“We are preventing for the second leg of the spherical of 16 to be performed on the Camp Nou. UEFA, if the state of affairs is regular, is aware of that we’d play right here,” Bartomeu mentioned
In Spain, one of many nations most affected by the pandemic, one of many most important outbreaks has been in an inland space of Catalonia, the place regional authorities on Saturday introduced the isolation of some 200,000 inhabitants in an space across the metropolis of Lerida, about 150 kilometres (93 miles) west of Barcelona.
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