Lionel Messi's future is still making headlines all over the world, and this time, Argentine legend, former Real Madrid player and coach Jorge Valdano gave a curious insight on "La Pulga's" next move.
Speaking in a show aired by Onda Cero, the former Los Blancos boss urged Barcelona to acknowledge that Messi's future lies further away from them with each passing day, and that the best thing for them to do would be to part ways with their all-time top scorer in the best possible manner.
"The sooner Barcelona assumes they will lose the best player in all of their history, the sooner they will be able to focus on their re-building process," Valdano stated.
The World Cup winner with Argentina in 1986 seems to believe that money is not behind Messi's decision. In fact, Valdano stated that Messi's motives to leave his beloved club have everything to do with their lack of ability to win in Europe during crunch ties.
"At 33 years of age, I don't think Messi feels strong enough to be Barcelona's only reference. Nevertheless, he still wants to be Lionel Messi," Valdano added.
The former footballer went on by stating that Messi could even call it quits if his demands are not satisfied by Los Blaugranas, especially since he sees Messi already thinking about the next stage of his life.
"Messi has already left Barcelona. Either he will join another club or he will end up going back home, but he has already left Barcelona. There's not a doubt in my mind about that issue," Valdano said.
The two-time La Liga winner with Los Blancos went on and said that president Josep Maria Bartomeu's decision to try and force Messi to stay will only be more harmful for the club and for the player himself in an already deteriorated relationship.
"I don't know what will happen with this transition, but I do know that it is only toxic for the club, for the player, and even for La Liga. I understand Bartomeu must think that when Messi leaves he will be pushed out of the club, but extending all negotiations will only damage Barcelona even further," Valdano concluded.
