Last Friday, the Argentine international confirmed that he would remain at Camp Nou against his desire to avoid a legal battle in court with the club he joined at 13.
Valdes was hurt because Leo’s attitude can never be questioned
Lionel Messi’s attitude can never be questioned. Although he is trying to force a move away from Barcelona, the former team-mate, Victor Valdes revealed. Last Friday, the Argentine international confirmed that he would remain at Camp Nou against his desire to avoid a legal battle in court with the club he joined at 13. Messi hoped to fulfill the clause in his contract and leave for free, but Barça and LaLiga challenged his right to do so, and the striker will now remain in place. He returned to training earlier this week, and Valdez, who has spent nearly two decades with the Catalan giants, has supported his close friend to put the saga behind him quickly.
“I was hurt during this because Messi is my colleague,” Valdes, now the manager of Catalan side Horta, told reporters. “Leo has been with me since he got into the first team, and I have always had a strong bond with him.
The former Barca goalkeeper hopes that it’ll be a good season for Messi
“I have suffered because Leo’s attitude cannot be questioned, as well as his qualities. The comments hurt me, but we know that this exists in football. I am happy that Barça can keep him and hope that he can give them many happy moments. I think it’ll be a good year for Messi. We will see Leo show what he can do. In an interview, Messi confirmed that he would remain at Barcelona for the upcoming season, even though he is not happy with how the club currently operates. Messi said: “I told the club, including the president, that I want to go. I’ve been telling him this all year. I thought it was time to step aside.
“I told the president and, well, the president always said that at the end of the season, I could decide if I want to go or want to stay, and in the end, he did not keep his word.” Barça finished last season with no trophies and replaced coach Quique Setien with Ronald Keeman, who left as head coach of the Netherlands national team. Last term’s LaLiga kick runners-up begin their 2020-21 campaign with a home match against Villarreal on 26-27 September.