BARCELONA – Barcelona fans breathed a collective sigh of relief a day after Lionel Messi said he would wait a year in his desire to seek success elsewhere.Argentine great Messi announced Friday that, despite having told the club he wanted to leave, he would see out the last season on his contract.
The 33-year-old forward said he would stay because he wanted to avoid the ugly possibility of going to court to seek his release. “He’s Staying” was splashed over a huge photo of Messi on the front page of Barcelona’s daily Sport on Saturday.“As a Barça supporter I celebrate the news,” 72-year-old retiree Roberto Ciervo said. “They managed to avoid a bitter end.