Barça star Lionel Messi's interview with Diario Ole: I want to win trophies

Lionel Messi will not play on Saturday as Barcelona's season ends away at Eibar in La Liga. With his contract up in June, the Argentine must now decide whether or not to continue at the club where he's spent over half of his life.

Messi has been speaking about that and a number of issues in an interview with Diario Ole.

Leo and Barça end the season having lifted one trophy, the Copa del Rey: "Whenever I compete, I compete to win and to try and achieve all of our objectives. To win trophies. The truth is that the Copa del Rey this season was very special due to the moment we were in, things hadn't gone that well at the club for a couple of years because of different results and a (lack of) trophies. Because the dressing room is really young now, with a lot of new people, the Copa del Rey was a point of inflexion and was very important. And beyond that, personally, I like to win and win trophies. The more the better."

Passion for the game

Messi also explained that he likes to watch a lot of different leagues and to follow them closely.

"I watch more as a fan than a student. When I am watching a game, I don't analyse it, I just enjoy the sport more than anything.

"But I do like to study rivals, how to press, where we can do damage, beyond the fact we have coaches (to do that), I like to observe and see as well."

Copa América

This summer, Messi has a new challenge to conquer: the Copa America with Argentina.

"We're all really looking forward to it," he said. "We're excited to be able to play this Copa. It's been a while since we were all together, too, because of the virus and that make us even more hungry. It's a special Copa, different, because there won't be fans. But even so, personally, I am really looking forward to it again."