Messi: I would like to play in the US
"I'm going to wait until the season ends. I would like to play in the United States and experience life and the league there"
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi says he hopes to one day play in the United States, BBC reported. But the Argentine is unsure of his future when his contract runs out in June.
The Argentine forward, 33, can begin negotiations with overseas clubs in January.
Messi handed in a transfer request in August and since then speculation over his future has been intense.
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But he won't make a decision on his long-term future at Barcelona until the season is over, with the footballll great also raising the possibility of playing in the United States one day in a TV interview broadcast Sunday.
"I don't know what I'm going to do yet," Messi told Spanish television channel La Sexta.
"I'm going to wait until the season ends. I would like to play in the United States and experience life and the league there, but ultimately come back to Barcelona in some capacity."
"Now I am focused on winning titles instead of other things," Messi said in the rare interview. "I have always had the idea that I would like to have the experience of playing in the United States, but this is not the time for it."
Barcelona, who did not win a trophy last season, are fifth in La Liga after their worst start to a league campaign in 33 years.
About fifth-place Barcelona's future prospects, Messi said "there is no money" and "it is not going to be easy to turn this around."
Since joining at the age of 13, Messi has become the club's record goalscorer, won 10 La Liga titles, the Champions League four times and the Ballon d'Or - awarded to the world's best player - six times.
His controversial summer request to leave Barcelona followed clashes with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned in October.
Messi also said he would not publicly support any of the candidates who plan to run in club elections set for Jan. 24.
Nor was he overly enthusiastic about the immediate prospects of the team.
"Let the best candidate win," Messi said. "Whoever does will find a very difficult situation, it is not going to be easy to turn this around. It is going to be difficult to bring in players. That requires a lot of money and there is no money. We need several important players to get back to fighting for titles."
The interview with Spanish journalist Jordi Évole was recorded recently and aired hours after Barcelona announced that Messi would miss Tuesday's Spanish league game against Eibar due to an unspecified ankle injury.
