Lionel Messi and his former teammate at FC Barcelona, Luis Suarez are enjoying themselves in Ibiza amidst speculation that the record 6 times Ballon d’Or winner has been banned from FC Barcelona training ground.
The 34-year-old Argentine football icon has been without a club since July 1, 2021, after his contract with FC Barcelona expired on June 30, 2021. Since then, the Spanish club has been trying to extend their contract with Lionel Messi but that seems difficult to do.
One of the reasons why Messi has not sealed a new deal with Barcelona is that the Spanish side has to balance their payroll in such a way that it would not exceed their revenue. Hence, Messi has to wait for all the players to accept a pay cut before he can be re-admitted to the club.
Another option the club is exploring is the possibility of selling some players at the club to reduce their wage burden before Lionel Messi can safely return to the club.
Earlier reports confirmed that the Argentina international has accepted a 50 percent pay cut to continue his football career at Barcelona but that seems not to be enough to balance the club’s books.
Amidst his contract saga, Lionel Messi helped Argentina to win the Copa America after the country defeated Brazil in the final of the tournament on July 11, 2021.
Days after the tournament, he jets off to Miami to holiday with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and his three children – Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro.
After spending over two weeks in the United States, Messi, and his family jet back to Barcelona to close his new deal with the club so that he can resume pre-season training.
Unfortunately, he met an embargo that he would not be able to train with the team until his deal with Barcelona is sealed. Also, the financial situation at the club is not conducive enough to give room for him yet.
Hence, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez who now plays for Atletico Madrid decided to jet off to Ibiza to cool off before the commencement of the 2021-2022 season.
The two South American football stars did not travel alone, they went with their wives and children. Suarez even took to Instagram to share a loved-up picture of himself and his wife, Sofía Balbi swimming at the beautiful holiday resort.
Also, Suarez’s wife, Sofía Balbi took to Instagram to share a picture of a group of ladies, including the wife of Messi, Antonela Roccuzzo, who are also holidaying at the same holiday resort.
Recall that Messi and Suarez played together in Barcelona between 2014 and 2020. During that period, Messi and the 34-year-old Uruguayan striker formed a very strong friendship that grew stronger even after Suarez was forced out of Barcelona ahead of the 2020-2021 season.
While Messi remained in Barcelona, Suarez moved to Atletico Madrid. In the 2020-2021 season, they both dominated the La Liga in their separate clubs. Before the season ended, Messi scored 30 goals and provided 11 assists which helped Barcelona to finish third in the league. While Suarez scored 21 goals and provided three assists to help Atletico to win the La Liga title.
Like Messi and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, Suarez and his wife Sofía Balbi have three children. All Messi’s children are boys but that of Suarez are two boys – Lautaro and Benjamin Suárez, and a girl, Delfina Suárez.
