Messi recalls the only time he considered leaving Barcelona

While talking with France Football after the Ballon d’Or triumph, Lionel Messi recalled the only time he ever thought about leaving FC Barcelona:

“It was not because of a reason linked to football but a personal one. I experienced a difficult moment (with the Spanish tax authorities, 5 years ago), but I succeeded in moving past it thanks to the support of people in Barcelona and the club. It allowed me to continue here. It is just that the moment that I announced that, I did not feel comfortable in Spain, nothing more.

Earlier this year, Messi already opened up on the tax issues which forced him to reconsider his Barcelona future between 2013 and 2014. That’s what he told RAC1 back in October:

“There were times, in 2013 and 2014 when I had the problem with the Spanish Tax Agency. I had in my head to leave, not because I wanted to leave Barca, but because I wanted to leave Spain. I felt badly treated and didn’t want to be here anymore. I had the door open to many clubs but an official offer never came because everyone knew that I wanted to stay at Barca.”