Lionel Messi strikingly candid in interview Football

sport">The last two years things went wrong for the Catalans in a strange way. In 2018, Barcelona gave away a 4-1 lead from the first leg against AS Roma, the same happened last year after a 3-0 lead against later winner Liverpool.

sport">“I can’t explain that, certainly not what happened in Liverpool,” said Messi about the subsequent 4-0 defeat. “You can be surprised once, as happened to AS Roma. But something like that happens again a year later. You can’t approve of that. ”

To grow

sport">This year too, the captain of FC Barcelona considers the chances are low. “If we really want to go for the Champions League victory, then we have to keep growing,” he tells the Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo. “Because I don’t think we currently have the level to compete for the title.”

sport">FC Barcelona will visit Napoli on Tuesday 25 February in the eighth finals of the Champions League. The return in Camp Nou against Dries Mertens and co follows on 18 March.

Neymar

sport">Maybe it can all be interpreted as a clear hint to the board to get his buddy Neymar back. Because according to the Argentinian, the Brazilian would be eager to return: “Neymar is looking forward to returning,” said Messi.

sport">The dribbling king continues: “He is a very cheerful person, he always laughs, he has fun on and off the field. He brings a different feeling to the changing rooms. Ultimately we all want to win and have the best players around us. We, the players, but also the supporters. Neymar taught us a lot on the field. But I understand that there were people who did not appreciate the fact that he left here, especially if you look at the way. ”

Breathing relieved

sport">Messi also clearly states his position whether or not he will stay with the Catalans. “I have said many times that I want to stay. If the club and the people want that here too, there is no problem for me. I have also often said that I like being here. The club and the people are satisfied with the team that we have. I want to stay here to win another Champions League and league titles. “

sport">Barcelona fans seem relieved to breathe. “I have often had the opportunity to leave. There were many interested clubs who were willing to pay the lump sum payment in my contract, but it never occurred to me to leave. Not now either. If the club thinks the same, there is no problem. “

Abidal

sport">Recently, Messi was suddenly at war with his former teammate Eric Abidal, who is now the technical director of the club. Abidal blamed the players for not doing enough for their coach. Messi whistled the Frenchman back in public at the time.

sport">“I don’t know what inspired him to say that, but I think I reacted because I felt attacked. It felt like he was attacking the players. A lot is said about the dressing room. How they control everything, how they get their trainers appointed and fired, how they themselves determine which new players will be added. And then it is more about me. How I have a lot of power and make the decisions. Then it hurts that someone from the club says such things. It is the technical director who makes such decisions, not me. That’s why I thought I should clarify it. I couldn’t just let that attack pass by. “

–