Lionel Messi ‘furious’ over Barcelona leaks as details of Ronald Koeman talks were released
LIONEL MESSI has reportedly been left fuming with Barcelona after his meeting with new boss Ronald Koeman was leaked to the press.
The 33-year-old has been linked with a sensational switch away from Spain this summer with his contract to expire in 2021.
Immediately after the Blaugrana lost 8-2 to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Messi is claimed to have told the club he wanted to leave.
Following Quique Setien’s dismissal at the Nou Camp, Ronald Koeman was appointed on a two-year deal, with Messi cutting short his holiday to meet the Dutchman.
It was reported by Catalan radio station RAC1 that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner told Koeman that he is seriously considering his future at Barca.
And Argentinian news outlet Clarin have now stated that Messi has been left ‘furious’ that news of the meeting has been made public.
They claim that Messi has been left angry by the fact that the source of the leak – RAC1 – regularly backs president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
It has been said that Messi believes Barcelona have fed this information to the radio station in order to paint him as the bad guy who is looking to jump off a sinking ship.
Koeman spoke about the situation with Messi earlier in the week, as he said: “He’s still got a contract and is still a Barcelona player.
“At this point I need to speak to him because he is the captain.
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“We need to work with him and speak with various players. We need to make some decisions but in Messi’s case I hope he stays with us.
“I don’t know if I have to convince Messi [to stay], whether it’s that or not. He is the best player in the world and the best player in the world you want in your team, you don’t want him playing against you.
“As a coach I would love to work with Messi because he wins matches. If he’s at the ability and level he has always shown I’d be more than happy for him to stay.”