Lionel Messi has claimed that it will be "difficult" for Barcelona to return to their former glories in the near future.

At a time when the club legend is strongly considering an exit in 2021, the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic have left the Catalan giants restricted in the transfer market.

Although the 33-year-old has suggested that he is now feeling more content with life at Camp Nou, the forward has acknowledged that the club are suffering both on and off the pitch.

Speaking to La Sexta, Messi said: "These days I am feeling well. I had a really bad time last summer with the Burofax and all that, and before.

"But now I feel good, excited to fight for everything in front of us. But the club are going through difficult moment, the team too, everything around Barca is difficult.

"I know that things at Barca are really, really bad. It will be difficult to get back to where we were."

Barcelona currently sit in fifth position in the La Liga standings, eight points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid.