Barcelona captain Lionel Messi
says he hopes to one day play in the United States but is unsure of his future
when his contract runs out in June.
The Argentina forward, 33, can
begin negotiations with overseas clubs in January.
Speculation over his future has been intense since
he handed in a transfer request in August.
“I don’t know what I’m going to
do yet,” Messi told Spanish television channel La Sexta.
“I’m going to wait until the
season ends. 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.
“Right now the most important
thing is to focus on the team and finish the season well, to focus on trying to
win trophies and not get distracted by other things.”
Barcelona, who did not win a
trophy last season, are fifth in La Liga after their worst start to a league
campaign in 33 years.
Since joining at the age of 13, Messi has become the club’s
record goalscorer, won 10 La Liga titles, the Champions League four times and
the Ballon d’Or – awarded to the world’s best player – six times.
His controversial summer request
to leave Barcelona followed clashes with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu,
who resigned in October.
Messi described Bartomeu’s reign
“a disaster”.
“It’s a difficult moment for the
club, for everyone, but those inside the club know that it’s in a really bad
situation, things are very bad and it’s going to be difficult to return the
club to where it used to be,” he added.
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