Messi's decision brings relief to Barca fans
Barcelona fans breathed a sigh of relief on Friday, after Lionel Messi ended weeks of speculation by announcing he had decided, with reluctance, to remain at the club.
Messi, who made a shock announcement that he wished to leave his lifelong club last month, said he would see out his contract until 2021 in order to avoid taking Barca to court.
"If he can stay for one more year and we are able to make the almost all of him and go see him play at the stadium, for me personally it is rather positive," said FC Barcelona fan Oriol Vives, 31.
Jorge Sos, 39, added: "I think it's good news for Barcelona because he is the better player in the world."
Yet some fans felt the saga had soured Messi's relationship with the club.
"I believe it's good he isn't leaving but with all the current mess he has generated, to be honest, it is not good for Barcelona because he doesn't supply the impression he wants to play for the team," said Sergi Roda, 24.
The 33-year-old Argentine forward took a swipe at the club's leadership through the announcement that he'd stay.
"The management of the club led by (president Josep Maria) Bartomeu is a tragedy," he was quoted as saying on Goal.com.
It was a sentiment echoed by some Barca fans on Friday.
"The whole situation has been very unpleasant," said Jordi Marti, 43. "I feel that a lot of the fault is the management's."
Spanish media centered on Messi's reluctance, with headlines including El Mundo's "Messi stays at Barcelona against his will" and sports daily Marca's "Messi stays... but with plenty of 'buts'".
