This archive report was first published on 9 October 2019.
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has opened up about his past desire to leave the club, citing tax issues as the reason. However, in a recent interview with Catalan radio station RAC1, Messi expressed his intention to finish his career at Barcelona.
According to Messi, he had considered leaving Barcelona in 2013-14 when he was under investigation from the Spanish tax authorities. He and his father Jorge were found guilty of defrauding Spain of 4.1 million euros in taxes between 2007 and 2009, for which they paid close to 10 million euros and Messi was handed a 21-month suspended prison sentence.
"In 2013-14, when I started having the tax problems, it was very difficult for me and my family," Messi said. "My children were young and we had a very bad time. At that time, I had it in mind to leave, not because I wanted to leave Barca but because I wanted to leave Spain. I felt mistreated and I didn't want to be here anymore."
"My children were young and we had a very bad time. At that time, I had it in mind to leave, not because I wanted to leave Barca but because I wanted to leave Spain. I felt mistreated and I didn't want to be here anymore." - Lionel Messi However, Messi's current contract expires in 2021, and he believes extending his deal "will not be a problem." "Today it is clearer that my idea is to finish here," Messi said. "For how I am at the club, for what I feel, and for the family and the children and how settled we are in this city. I would not like to disrupt that." Messi has been playing for Barcelona since 2004, after joining the club from Newell's Old Boys in Argentina. He has been a key player for the team, helping them win numerous titles, including four UEFA Champions League trophies. Despite his past desire to leave, Messi has expressed his commitment to the club and his teammates. "Of course anything can happen but in principle, the idea is to stay here," he said.
