Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona’s captain and forward, has broken his silence on various topics in an exclusive interview with SPORT. He spoke about the club's failed move for Neymar, the news about his potential exit at the end of the season, the poor start to the current campaign and other things.
How do you think the team has started this season? Are you worried?
No, I’m not worried. It’s been a strange start because we’ve had a lot of players out injured. Against Athletic we played great. We ended up losing the game and we didn’t deserve that. I saw a great team performance against Betis. But once again, away from home, it cost us against Osasuna. It doesn’t worry me but we need to know we can’t start that way. It’s been a really poor start and now, after the international break, we have to make sure everything clicks, become stronger and take control of the upcoming matches.
How do you feel about your injury?
I feel better. It was really bad because it happened on my first day back and it originally looked to be something minor but, in reality, I have been out of action for the past 15 days. Now, I know what it is and I feel more at ease. I will return when I feel I have fully recovered.
Barca tried to re-sign Neymar but it wasn’t possible. Would you have liked Neymar to see return?
Honestly, yes. I would have loved to have Neymar back. I understand those people who are against his return and it’s understandable for what happened with ‘Ney’ and the way that he left. But thinking about it on a sporting level, I personally think Neymar is one of the best players in the world and having him in our squad would increase our chances of achieving our objectives. But, in the end, it didn’t happen and we have to only think about the squad we have and focus on our goals.
Do you think Barca did everything possible to sign him?
To be honest, I don’t know. I didn’t have much information about how the negotiations were going to say whether or not Barcelona did everything possible. Yes, obviously I wanted him to come not just for the sporting side of things but also for the club. In terms of the image, marketing, sponsorships and to keep growing. It would have given the club a lift too. But it didn’t happen.
Did you speak with Neymar during the summer? How did he experience the whole saga?
I haven’t spoken to him since the transfer story ended. I got injured and he began to train again. What I do know is he was desperate to leave and come to Barcelona.
The other day, Josep Maria Bartomeu said that according to your contract you could leave on a free transfer at the end of the season. Is it true and should Barca fans be worried?
I can’t confirm anything because there are confidentiality agreements in our contracts. What I can say is that I want to be at Barcelona as long as possible. I’ve said throughout my career that this is my home. But I also don’t want to have a long-term contract and only be here because of it. I want to be here because physically I’m fine, to play and be an important member of the squad. And as I said before, I need see there’s a winning team because I want to keep winning things at this club. For me, money or a clause don’t mean anything. Other things motivate me and the most important thing is having a winning team.
Is your idea to renew your contract year by year depending on how you feel?
My idea is to continue here for as long as I can perform well and my body allows me to do that. Afterwards, as I said before, my contract isn’t something that worries me or even something I manage myself. My father handles that with the president or whoever he needs to talk to. I only express my thoughts.
So the key condition for you to remain here is that there’s a winning team?
Obviously, I want to win and I want to win at this club. This is my home. I don’t have any intention of going anywhere but I want to keep competing and winning.
Are you in talks with Barca now?
My father handles that but we aren’t talking with Barca. He would have told me if so.
Recently Cristiano (Ronaldo) said he would like to go for lunch with you. Would you accept his invitation?
Yes, I don’t have any problem with that. I’ve always said that I don’t have any issue with him. We might not be friends because we’ve never shared a dressing room together but I always see him at award shows and there’s no problem.
We actually spoke with each other for quite a long time at the most recent show. I don’t know if there will be a dinner because I don’t know if our paths will cross for obvious reasons, each one of us has our own life and our own commitments. But obviously I would accept the invitation.