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Barcelona news: Lionel Messi aims dig at big-spending Man City and PSG
BARCELONA icon Lionel Messi has aimed a dig at big-spending Manchester City and PSG for changing the landscape of football transfers.
Barcelona: Lionel Messi scores stunning goal against Huesca
The Argentinian has enjoyed his entire career at the Catalan outfit while a host of his former team-mates have been chewed up and spat out while playing at the Nou Camp.
But Messi has also seen stars exit Barcelona of their own accord in recent years.
Neymar made the decision to leave his team-mate's shadow back in 2017, moving to big spending PSG for a world-record £200m.
And Messi has aimed a thinly-veiled dig at the likes of the French giants, claiming football has now changed because of multi-million pound owners.
Wherever the most money is, that's where they end up going
“There are clubs now with a lot of money and players move for that reason,” he told Catalunya radio.
“Wherever the most money is, that's where they end up going.
"Things have changed and now the owners of clubs are multi-millionaires.
“Before, everyone wanted to play for Barca or Madrid, who were the best, but now everything's tighter and there's not much of a difference between the teams in Manchester, PSG, Madrid, us, Bayern [Munich], the Italians.”
Messi looks set to end his career at Barcelona or in his native Argentina.
But the 31-year-old wouldn't be pressed into answering questions about his future.
“I am just thinking about the years that I can keep playing," he added.
“When the moment comes, I will decide.
“I want to finish the contract I have and then we will see if I continue or not. It doesn't worry me right now.
FC Barcelona: Messi takes part in training drills
“The club can be calm [when I am gone] if they keep bringing players through the academy and making good signings.”
Messi's contract includes a €700m (£632m) release clause and runs until 2021.
The four-time Ballon d'Or winner was on target for Barcelona on Saturday, scoring two goals in the 8-2 victory over Huesca.
Messi unselfishly gave a last-minute penalty to team-mate Luis Suarez in the closing stages, despite having the chance to net his 31st La Liga hat-trick.