Busquets asks for Messi to be given time
The centre midfielder has full faith "in the President" and "in Leo's wishes"
He is also happy that Koeman will remain in the dug-out: "the project needs stability"
Talking to Cadena Cope from the Spanish team's training camp in Las Rozas, Sergio Busquets has spoken about everything that is going on at Barça this summer. The Barcelona midfielder seemed confident that Leo Messi would remain at the club next season, and spoke of his happiness that Ronald Koeman would continue to coach the team.
"We need to give Leo more time. I have full faith in the president and in the people that are working for the club, and I'm hopeful of a good outcome. I also think that Leo wants to stay", he said about the Barça captain's contract situation. He added that "the best outcome is to keep playing together for many years to come". He was similarly positive about the fact that Ronald Koeman will continue to manage the team next season. "He's done a good job, the project needs stability", he explained, before adding that "we know that it's a difficult time for the club, and we're aware how hard it is to sign players and build a team, but we're sure everything will be fine".
On his own future, for both the national team and for Barça, he stated that he is experiencing "unique moments" and that "I'm now at an age where I need to go step-by-step, season-by-season, thinking only about the short-term". That's why he is currently "focusing [only] on the European Championships, before turning his attention on the Nations League games in October, which are an exciting prospect". The most important thing is for him "to feel good".
Clásico sin Sergio Ramos
When asked about the absence of Sergio Ramos, not just in the national team squad but in next season's Clásico matches, he admitted that "it would be strange to play a Clásico without Ramos, but these things happen, it's happened with other players. It's football and I wish him all the best, wherever he ends up. We'll continue enjoying the Clásico with the players who are at the two clubs".
Lastly, he was sure that Xavi, when he spoke about the Real Madrid players in the Spain squad, "did not want to create any controversy". When asked about the semi-final against Italy on Tuesday, he added "if the game goes to penalties, I'd take another one. I'm very confident".
