Ronaldo’s comments on Lionel Messi came true after furious crisis and information leak

Lionel Messi wanted to leave Barcelona before the start of the season.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was reportedly infuriated when information about a private meeting between him and Ronald Koeman was leaked.

Messi interrupted his vacation this summer to meet the Dutchman, with radio station RAC1 later revealing that the Argentine told Koeman he wanted to leave the club.

Messi, 33, had become jaded by a number of things including Josep Maria Bartomeu’s management of the club and Quique Setien’s tactics on the pitch.

Ronaldo, who has played for Barcelona and Real Madrid during his career, spoke about Messi’s predicament at the time and predicted he wouldn’t go anywhere.

“It is very unlikely that he will be able to leave Barcelona at the moment, especially in the event of a results crisis. Messi is a reference for the team and, if I was at Barcelona, ​​I would not let him go in any situation, “Ronaldo said.

“He has a great and strong relationship with the club and I don’t think he will stop being in love with the team.”

Ronaldo was proven right when Barcelona dug their heels and prevented the Argentinian from leaving, even as Messi tried to point to a clause in his contract meaning he could leave the club for free.

Messi was due to sue the Catalan club but instead decided to see the rest of his contract in Spain and reconsider his future at the end of the season.

Paris Saint-Germain have been very vocal in that they would love to sign Messi at the end of this season, which is always a concern for Barcelona.

But new manager Koeman is a bit more confident the Argentine will sign extra time this summer and stay.

In an interview with The Athletic, Koeman said, “I said to Leo, ‘I’m really happy if you stay. If you don’t stay, it’s your decision and that’s what you need to deal with with the club.

“If you stay you will be part of the team and it will be your position to get the most out of yourself. Little by little he has come to terms with this situation.

“And look at how he’s played the last few weeks, he’s really involved with the club, with the team. But nobody knows what’s going to happen in the future.”

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