Koeman: "It's incredibly important for Barça and LaLiga that Messi stays"

FC Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman has stated that Leo Messi should stay at Barça "because it is good for the club and good for LaLiga", and transmitted another message of calm to the club's supporters regarding his renewal. "It's really important for the club and LaLiga that the best player in the world signs a new contract at the club. We all need to make a big effort to get him to stay".

 

The Barça manager seemed confident that Messi would sign a new deal to extend his stay at the Camp Nou. "When something like this remains unresolved, it's always a matter of concern. However, I have full faith that our president will find a solution [and get Messi to renew]", said the Dutch manager regarding the contract negotiations being led by Joan Laporta. Koeman refrained from criticising LaLiga president Javier Tebas, despite fuelling further doubts about Messi's future on Thursday. "Everyone defends their own interests [...] Laporta has told me to be calm, that we are working on it and that we believe Messi will sign on for a few more years. With regards to LaLiga...Tebas? I don't know. Everyone thinks about their own things, and we know that there are rules that clubs need to adhere to. I don't have enough information to talk about this issue".

He defended Messi's attitude

Despite the fact that the squad won't be in place for the start of pre-season, with players due back in training next week, Koeman will play the cards that he has been dealt. "It's better to know which players you're going to have and who is going to be available to train. However, we also know that, due to the summer tournaments, we won't be able to spend much time with the full team this pre-season. The domestic season will begin shortly after, and things may change between then and the end of August".

Koeman played down the importance of Messi's silence. "Leo has always shown that he wants to stay at Barça, and I know that the club is working on it with his lawyers and his father". The Dutch coach feels that his lack of words are entirely justified, given that "Leo is competing in the Copa América and therefore has his mind on other things, such as the final [due to be played this weekend]. I know that he wants to renew, and he needs to renew, because he cannot end his career wearing another team's shirt".

Messi's future

One of the main questions on everyone's lips is whether or not Messi will sign a new contract with FC Barcelona, with his previous contract expiring at the end of last month.

After weeks of negotiations between the club and Messi's entourage, the agreement between Barça and Leo Messi is still lacking a few details, which are important for a deal to be reached.

While the player has been focusing on achieving one of his biggest dreams - winning the Copa América with Argentina - Joan Laporta and the Barcelona board are working to revive the club on a financial and sporting level: two areas that are more closely linked than ever in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.