"I wasn't happy and I wanted to leave," the player told Goal. "I have not been allowed this in any way and I will STAY at the club so as not to get into a legal dispute. The management of the club led by Bartomeu is a disaster."

It had earlier been reported the Argentine icon and Barca's all-time top scorer would make his decision official as the club had made it known they would not sell him for less than the €700 million buyout clause in his contract.