Barcelona Achieved Nothing This Season Says Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has lamented Barcelona's trophy-less season, admitting that they "accomplished nothing" during the 2013-14 campaign. The Argentina international, who has just signed a new contract that will see him become the world’s best-paid footballer, has struggled with injuries and relatively poor form over the past 12 months.

However, even as Barca's star player, the four-time Ballon d'Or winner does not feel that he should shoulder the blame for the Catalans' failure to win anything other than the Supercopa de Espana.

"It was a tough year and it has not been the best for me,” Messi admitted to Mundo Deportivo. "A big team [like Barcelona] is obliged to win titles and this year we accomplished nothing.


"It was kind of the whole group, though, not just individuals. But it was a let-down for the whole team."

Messi also argued that Gerardo Martino, who stepped down as coach last weekend, should not be made the scapegoat for Barca's failings, in light of all of the off-the-field, transfer-related controversies the club were forced to deal with.

"It was not easy for Tata [Martino],” he added. “There were things going on in and out of the court.

“We would have liked to have become champions for ourselves and for the manager - he deserved it."

After seeing his side miss out on the Liga title by being held at home by Atletico Madrid in Saturday's title decider, Messi admitted that he is hoping to put Barca's season behind him as quickly as possible so he can focus on helping Argentina win this summer's World Cup.

"I hope that now I can change my head before Brazil," the 26-year-old confessed. "Losing the title on the final day was a heavy blow.

"I will spend a few days with my family and then I’ll think about the Argentina team."