After a disappointing loss of Neymar, that followed up with a poor performance in the transfer window, things are not getting any good for the Catalan club. The situation of the club has shown no signs of improvement any time soon. The club’s hierarchy has faced widespread dissatisfaction from the team’s supporters who demand a change in the administrative body. A no confidence vote is also on the cards and the club may just be in the worst situation it could have imagined. Messi’s contract situation is yet to be cleared with reports that the 5 times Ballon D’or winner is yet to put pen on paper.
Bartomeu all praise for Iniesta
Iniesta, who is yet to agree on new terms of the contract set to expire next summer has received widespread praise from the club president. Bartomeu said, “Andres is a player like Leo, a one-club man and a reference point due to his commitment and loyalty. They’re role models for the kids at La Masia and the new generation of players coming through,” praising the player’s commitments.
While speaking on the contract situation, he expressed that they are close to complete the negotiation and new contract would be announced soon. He said, “We have an agreement in principle for Iniesta to renew and we hope to finalize it in the coming weeks. We’re waiting to continue talking, but Iniesta is a player we want to retire here when he feels it’s the right time to retire.”
Bartomeu further added, “The idea is that he has an indefinite contract which renews year on year until he feels it’s either time to retire or time for a change. We would like to announce it soon, but we’re still talking.”
Iniesta says No on contract renewal
Iniesta’s contract runs out of fuel at the end of the next season. There were widespread rumors that the legend could make a move for free to Juventus just like Pirlo did. Meanwhile, club president Bartomeu had told reporters that the veteran is just a few steps away from signing a new contract that would probably run down till his retirement. Iniesta, on the other hand, contradicted the statement. After returning from the Spain duty, the 33-year old midfielder told reporters that NO contract has been agreed as of now, sparking further tensions at the Camp Nou.
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Iniesta has been loyal to the club which made him great, but the situation is changed and the club is seen on a downfall and Iniesta looks insecure to commit his future to the club beyond 2018.
Digging further speculation the club veteran said, “I’ve experienced a lot of sensations I’ve not known before, but I think they’re normal. It’s a scenario which three years ago I could never have imagined. Let’s say I’m thinking about my future when before I wasn’t.”
Author’s Take
Barcelona are certainly facing the toughest time in a decade, and it makes it hard to believe how things have changed since their Champions League triumph in 2015, and La Liga win a year later. With air still to clear on Messi, Iniesta situation has deepened the crisis. Barcelona has all the stars surrounding 30, while the young bench is still far away from living up to the expectations. The midfield is heavily dependent on Iniesta, Busquets, and Rakitic. While a replacement of Xavi is yet to be found, Iniesta leaving the club is something no one would want. Iniesta is still to agree on a contract, and any development against the club can affect the Messi stance also, who will definitely want more silverware to compete with Ronaldo who is aging like a wine. Now if the board fails to work out things quickly, things can take an ugly turn and leave Real Madrid with a complete monopoly in Spain.
