Messi stays at Barca

Football: Lionel Messi ended speculation about his future at Barcelona by announcing on Saturday he would reluctantly stay for another season rather than tackle his careerlong club in court.

A week after saying he wanted to leave the Liga side, and with a contract row still raging, the 33yearold sixtime player of the year gave the news Barca fans were hoping for. In doing so, however, the Argentine forward took a big swipe at the club’s hierarchy.

‘‘I wasn’t happy and I wanted to leave. I have not been allowed this in any way and I will STAY at the club so as not to get into a legal dispute,’’ he was quoted as saying by Goal.com. — Reuters