LIONEL MESSI’S father dismissed reports linking the Barcelona superstar to Paris Saint-Germain as ‘fake news.’
The Argentine’s future remains the hot topic of conversation with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
Lionel Messi’s father slammed reports linking him with PSG
Lionel Messi is out of contract at Barcelona at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Messi, 33, endured a high-profile falling out with Barca in the summer as he tried to force his way out of the club.
He decided to stay having refused to take the club to court claiming a clause allowing him to leave for free had expired.
As he looks increasingly likely to leave the Nou Camp next summer, one Spanish publication claimed Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, had been in contact with PSG chiefs with negotiations to be concluded in January.
But Jorge slammed the report, taking to Instagram to write: “Stop inventing! Fake news.”
Messi was surprisingly left out of the starting XI in the 5-2 win over Real Betis for the first time in over a year.
He came on at half-time and scored twice but his omission by boss Ronald Koeman raised eyebrows.
Speaking to Sport, the Dutchman said: “They’d (the club) already told me Messi was unhappy. We spoke at his house. He explained his reasons and I was honest.
“I told him that the only things I could change were football things: the system of play, his position on the pitch, his importance in the team.
“But the issues he had with the club, I could not change them. In the end, he decided to stay, but it was his decision.
“Messi’s shown that he’s an ambitious person.
“He has demonstrated to me that he’s a person that wants to win things, be the best and continue being the best, even though he’s had his problems with the club.
“I want the best for the team. And the best for the team is that Leo is good, as he is now, motivated and involved.
“He showed that the other day, against Real Betis, when he came on in the second half.
“The team has to learn to look for the best for the team, but right now, Barça have been, are and will be a better team with Messi than without Messi.”
Messi has also been linked with a reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Watch Messi and his kids play football with HUGE pet dog Hulk as wife Antonela drinks Barcelona star’s special beer
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
