Koeman: It's impossible to play without Messi, he's been alone

Koeman: It's impossible to play without Messi, he's been alone

| sport

The Dutchman was asked if we've seen Messi play at Camp Nou for the last time

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman says the club have doubts about who would replace Lionel Messi's 30 goals if the forward leaves the club this summer.

Messi's contract expires in June, raising the prospect Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo could have been his final appearance at Camp Nou in a Barça shirt.

Messi, 33, scored in the loss to take his tally in the league to 30 goals this season and Koeman said more players need to step up and help.

"I hope not because I think today he's shown his effectiveness and that he's still the best in the world," the Barça boss said when asked if it was Messi's last Camp Nou match for the Blaugrana.

"It's impossible to play without him. But it's Leo on his own and to win more games, get more points, we need more players to score goals.

"Leo's scored 30 goals and won us a lot of points. But (his future) is a question for Leo. For me and for the club, we hope he stays. Because if there's no Leo, we have doubts about who will score the goals."

Barça end the season away against Eibar next week. Whatever happens they will finish the season in third place, with Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid competing for the title.  

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