Lionel Messi will miss Barcelona’s final La Liga game of the season against Eibar today in order to “enjoy a rest” before the Copa America, the club announced. The Argentine, who is still in contract negotiations with Barcelona, was given permission to miss training yesterday by coach Ronald Koeman and, with the club now out of the title race, will not play in the away fixture against Eibar.
The 33-year-old has already played 47 matches this season for Barca, scoring 38 goals, but his future at the club remains in doubt as he has been linked with a move to Manchester City where he could join up with former coach Pep Guardiola.
Barcelona’s defeat by Celta Vigo last Sunday leaves them third in La Liga, seven points behind leaders Atletico Madrid and only two ahead of fourth-placed Sevilla. The Copa America, which was postponed from 2020 because of the coronavirus, begins in Argentina on June 13 with the final on July 10.
Meanwhile, Ronald Koeman said he “wants to continue” as Barcelona coach next season but acknowledges his fate lies in the hands of club president Joan Laporta. The Camp Nou axe appears to be hovering over the Dutch manager according to the Catalan press whose successes — including winning lifting the Copa del Rey and overseeing a year of transition — may not save him from the sack.
“I haven’t yet spoken with the president, we said we’d talk when the season finished,” Koeman said. “No doubt we’ll speak after tomorrow. I’ve told him that I want to continue and see out the end of my contract but it’s the president who has the last word.”
Koeman accepts recent results have cast “doubt” over his future. “I’ve always been straight,” he said. “I’ve been the club’s only spokesperson for long periods this season. We should communicate more. There should be more respect for the coach, the players.”