Josep Maria Bartomeu assured in an interview on Barça TV that Messi will continue at Barça. Despite the fact that the player has stopped the negotiations regarding the renewal of his contract, which ends on June 30 and that from some sources it is assured that he wants to leave this summer, the highest president opted for his continuity since Koeman, the new Blaugrana coach has him as a pillar of his project.
“Messi will stay, he has always said so. I have spoken with Koeman and he says that the pillar of his project is Messi”, assured the Blaugrana president who added that “He has a contract with Barça until 2021, I speak regularly with him and with his father and they know that there is a new project with a new coach, although they are disappointed by what has happened like the rest of the Barcelona fans. “
For Bartomeu: “Messi is still the best in the world number one and we have him. We always design projects so that it grows and in the new project it will be the same “.
He recognized however that “Since Munich I have not spoken with Messi, I have spoken with his part and I know that he is hurt by the defeatBut the mourning is over and you have to create an exciting project. When the coach is confirmed, the first thing he has to do is talk to the captains and start working. We don't have much time, but the next cycle has to be led by Leo Messi. Within your era there must be quite a few cycles. “
On whether Leo will be affected by the departure of some of his fellow travelers, the president said that “They are decisions that have to be made by the technical secretariatIf they leave, they will leave with all honors and everyone has to understand them. These decisions are not discussed. “