Barcelona's plans pending on what Messi decides on his future

Lionel Messi's comments after the Copa del Rey final win invite optimism. The Barcelona forwards gets on well with coach Ronald Koeman and with the youngsters in the dressing room, who see him as their mentor.

The Barça of the immediate future, therefore, the one that needs to be put in place now for the coming seasons, will be very different with Messi than without him.

The club are having to work on two scenarios for next season. One with Messi as the leader and another without him, if he leaves when his contract expires.

Obviously, the club's budget also depends on the best player in the world, given he receives around 10 percent of the club's annual income. President Joan Laporta hopes, like all Barça fans, to get Messi to sign a new deal.

However, Barça are not putting pressure on the player and will wait for him to communicate his decision in the hope that it's sooner or later. There is no deadline but Barça hope to know before the end of the season.

At the start of the season no one would have bet a euro on Messi staying but as the campaign has progressed, everyone has seen Messi more committed to the team and the club and forging a good relationship with Koeman.

The Barça captain appreciates everything that's been done by the club to emerge from a difficult situation, as well as Koeman's management of the dressing room and bet on young players.

Both Koeman and Laporta want Messi to lead the new sporting project under the new president.

Messi's comments after the cup final were an invitation of optimism. "It's an honour to be the captain of this team." For everyone, it's great news that he sees a future with Koeman on the bench. Laporta and his No.2, the vice president Rafa Yuste, ware working on it.

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