Real Madrid star 'didn't care' whether Messi left or stayed at Barcelona

Lionel Messi’s transfer saga was a much drawn-out one and generated huge buzz in the media, but it was of little concern to Marco Asensio.

An uproar was sparked in Catalunya a while back when the news broke out that Lionel Messi had handed in a transfer request at FC Barcelona.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner remained the center of attention, that time for unusual reasons, as a plethora of news outlets started offering their take on what could be his next destination.

Manchester City were viewed as leading candidates to land him, with a reunion with former boss Pep Guardiola proposed as a matter of interest for the Argentine.

A dream pairing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus was also suggested while he was even linked with Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi eventually decided to make a U-turn on his initial decision in order to avoid taking legal action against his boyhood club, as he explained later in an exclusive interview with Goal.

While the footballing world was busy speculating about the future of a player who has been one-club-man so far, Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio insists he was entirely unconcerned about the matter.

Asensio told El Transistor: “I didn’t care if Messi left or stayed. That he stayed will be better for Barcelona; I like playing against the best.”