Argentine star Lionel Messi apologized to Barcelona fans after the team's recent crisis due to his request to leave.
Messi spoke to the Spanish newspaper Sport (SPORT) for the first time since he retracted his request to leave the Catalan club, and returned to the team's training, committed to his ongoing contract until the end of the current season.
"After many disagreements, I would like to finish that. All Barcelona fans should unite and assume that the best is yet to come," Messi said.
He added, "I take responsibility for my mistakes. I was only thinking about strengthening Barcelona. My message to all Barcelona fans, if what I said or did bothered them, I was thinking about the best for the club, everyone should not understand what I did wrong."
And the Catalan club captain added, "Passion and enthusiasm will be the only way to achieve the goals, always united and we strive in the same direction."
It seems that Messi is seeking to close the door of disputes after the crisis of his request to leave and then support his friend Luis Suarez with a message that carried a direct attack on the Barcelona administration.
All eyes are now on the club's president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, and how he will deal with the player in the coming weeks.
The situation appears closer to a truce between the two parties, with the continuing problems that caused the outbreak of the crisis, especially with regard to the dispute with Bartomeu over the interpretation of the terms of the contract.
Fans of the Catalan club will not be reassured before making sure of Messi's contract extension, and ensuring his continuation with the team in the coming years.