European Football: Barcelona Captain Lionel Messi Wishes to Play In the US

In the most recent game between Barcelona and Valladolid, Lionel Messi played a major role in the victory over Valladolid by scoring 3-0 on 22 December. After the match, Messi says he hopes to play in the United States one day. However, he is unsure of his future as his contract is going to expire in June. Messi’s future seems to be uncertain as he handed in a transfer request in August.

In an interview with Spanish television channel La Sexta, Messi says “I am still uncertain what I’m going to do. Perhaps, I am going to wait until the season ends. I would like to play in the United States and experience life and the league there and ultimately come back to Barcelona with some capacity.

Messi further added, “Right now the most important thing is to focus on the team, finish the season well, try to win trophies, and not get distracted by other things.”

Noting that Barcelona couldn’t manage to win a trophy last season. Barcelona’s team are fifth in La Liga after their worst performance in the league campaign in 33 years.

Messi joined the club at the age of 13, and since then he is the club’s record goalscorer with winning10 La Liga titles, the Champions League four times, and the Ballon d’Or – awarded to the world’s best player – six times.

His summer request to leave Barcelona sparked some controversy that led to the club president Josep Maria Bartomeu’s resignation in October. Speaking on Bartomeu’s resignation, Messi says,  

“It’s a difficult time 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,”