Barcelona fc
Messi says Barca 'my life' but stays tight-lipped on future
Speaking to Spanish TV channel La Sexta, Messi insisted that he was 'excited' to play under coach Ronald Koeman this season despite trying to leave the club...
The Argentina forward scored Barca's third goal when he collected Pedri's backheel and struck the ball past goalkeeper Jordi Masip in the 65th minute.
The World Cup-winning Spanish midfielder, 36, said he planned to be back for his Japanese club Vissel Kobe next season after undergoing surgery in Barcelona on a ruptured tendon.
Messi struck with 14 minutes remaining of a lacklustre display from Barca at the Camp Nou which will do little to ease fan fears following their 3-0 hammering at the hands of Juventus midweek.
After the Portuguese forward arrived from Manchester United in 2009, El Clasico became synonymous with his rivalry with Barcelona captain Messi.
Ronald Koeman again rested Lionel Messi with qualification for the last 16 already assured, and Barca made it five wins from five in Group G with an impressive performance in Budapest.
Yannick Carrasco finished brilliantly from range after mistakes from Gerard Pique and Marc-Andre ter Stegen left the goal gaping but Barca, and a below-par Lionel Messi, failed to respond at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Lionel Messi won and then scored a penalty before the 17-year-old Ansu Fati contributed to two brilliant goals, volleying in one for himself and then setting up another for Philippe Coutinho.
La Liga had previously intervened in the dispute by announcing Lionel Messi's €700-million release clause still applied, a statement later rejected by Messi's agent and father Jorge.
It appears increasingly likely Messi will try to force a transfer by refusing to play in La Liga next season, which begins on 12 September.
Writing a "Dear Lionel" letter after news Messi wanted to quit his long association with Barcelona, Adelaide United Director Ian Smith cited his state's "brilliant" schools, tourist attractions and world-class wines as reasons the Argentine should head Down Under.
Messi's contract expires in June of 2021 and local radio station Cadena Ser reported at the start of July that the Argentine had broken off talks with the club.
After his world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 the Brazilian forward sued Barca for 43.6 million euros that he claimed he was due for various bonuses.
In the 52nd minute of Barca's 4-0 win at Son Moix, a man wearing an Argentina shirt with Lionel Messi's name on the back entered the pitch and posed for a picture on his phone near Jordi Alba.
Real sit two points behind Barca and return after three months away against Eibar on Sunday, when they will play in their new training ground home at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium.
Spain was put into lockdown on 14 March with citizens only allowed to leave their homes in order to conduct essential business.
Former Barca forward Cristian Tello grabbed the decisive late goal that saw his old team regain the lead in the see-saw title race.
Lionel Messi has been linked with a move away from the Camp Nou at the end of the season after he caused a stir by criticising the club’s sporting director Eric Abidal.
Sporting director Eric Abidal said that under recently-fired coach Ernesto Valverde many players had been unhappy, hadn't worked hard enough nor communicated properly.