Lionel
Messi has admitted he could one day leave Barcelona – just hours after
calling transfer rumours "all lies".
Messi gave an interview to Barca's television channel on Sunday and
specifically addressed reports linking him with Chelsea and Manchester City,
even going as far as to say: "I have no intention of leaving anywhere."
But the Argentina star sounded less certain when discussing his future ahead
of Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony, where he was in contention to win the
award for a fifth time.
Asked whether he might one day return to hometown club Newell's Old Boys,
Messi said: "I'm not sure what's going to happen – if one day I'll go back
to Newell's. I'm not sure where I'll be next year!
"I've always said I'd like to finish my career at Barcelona, play at
Newell's, but nobody knows what the future holds – much less so in the case
of the football world where so many things can change overnight."
Ballon d'Or rival Cristiano Ronaldo, sitting alongside Messi and Manuel
Neuer at a question-and-answer session for the three nominees, was equally
non-committal when asked about his Real Madrid future.
Spanish football expert Graham Hunter says he cannot see Messi leaving
Barcelona and believes the latest comments are likely part of a ploy to gain
more influence at the club.
"He in is in the middle of the powerplay at the moment, he is not completely
happy with the team’s level of competitiveness and he has some difficulties
with the man-management style of (Barcelona head coach) Luis Enrique,"
Hunter told Sky Sports News HQ.
"He is showing he is a mature player now and all he has to do is cough,
nudge and hint and things happen.
"I don’t believe that he wants to leave, I do believe he wants to influence
the club in how it’s run to make it more competitive."
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