“I’m tired of being everyone’s problem”, Messi fires at critics

Barcelona skipper, Lionel Messi has fired at critics who continue to pin the club’s dwindling fortunes on him, saying “he is tired of always being everyone’s problem at the club”.

The Albiceleste captain has endured unceasing backlash in recent weeks, particularly from  Emmanuel Lopes, Antoine Griezmann’s uncle, who accused Messi of being the unseen hand behind the Frenchman’s difficult spell at the Camp Nou as well as other lingering problems within the football club.

Messi and Barcelona have endured a festered love affair within the past year, a tempestuous relationship which was climaxed by the striker’s desire to quit the Camp Nou after an underwhelming end to the 2019/2020 season, largely mired by an 8-2 humiliating defeat to Bayern Munich in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League.

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With the club faltering at home and abroad, several calls from the Blaugrana faithful had clamoured for a change in hierarchy following continued concern that the European giants could be headed for the doldrums under the direction of Josep Maria Bartomeu, who recently stepped down alongside his board of directors.

New gaffer, Ronald Koeman, has failed to restore the club’s fortunes across the start of the new season, as evidenced by Barcelona’s inglorious 11th position standing on the La Liga table, nine points adrift a rejuvenated Real Sociedad who currently lead the standings.

As gathered by Eko Hot Blog, Emmanuel Lopes’ recent tirades against the all-time great in recent weeks have further exacerbated the optics which seem to be lodged against the little genius at this time, but the Barcelona legend has come out to excoriate being made to shoulder the blames for failures within the club.

“I’m tired of always being everyone’s problem at the club,” Messi stated to a crush of reporters. “I get here after a 15-hour flight and I find a tax agent here, it’s ridiculous.”

The Blaugrana face Atletico Madrid next, following the international break, and with Diego Simeone’s men currently flying high, will doubtlessly provide a stern test for Messi and former Atleti hitman, Antoine Griezmann as both men look to return the club to the summit of the La Liga.