This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
Published on July 3, 2020, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane expressed hope that Lionel Messi will remain in Spain despite rumors of the Argentine star's potential departure from Barcelona.
Messi's current contract expires in 2021, and he has halted negotiations with Barcelona due to frustrations with the club's direction, according to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.
Barcelona sits second in La Liga with five games left, four points behind Real Madrid, who edged past Getafe 1-0 on Thursday to put the title within their grasp.
"I don't know what will happen but we hope not because he is in this league and we want the best in this league," said Real coach Zidane after the match.
Messi has had disagreements with the Barcelona board, including a public reaction when sporting director Eric Abidal appeared to blame the players for the sacking of Ernesto Valverde in January.
Barcelona's presidential elections are due to be held in 2021, when current president Josep Maria Bartomeu will have to step aside.
Among those set to run against Bartomeu's successor is Victor Font, who wants to appoint Messi's former team-mate Xavi Hernandez as coach.
