Messi: "There's a winning project and my idea is always to stay here"

For the second time in just over a month, Lionel Messi has opened up in an interview with the Catalan media. Last month it was in SPORT, this month he has spoken to RAC1. 

"It's true we struggled to get started this season, but we have a good squad with great players to be able to win everything," Messi said. "That is the idea, not just mine, but everyone that we have here. 

"We are here to win and to win titles. In recent years we have been close. In the last two years (in Rome and Liverpool) it was our fault for the way we got knocked out. It wasn't the project or the coach. We have a great squad to be able to win everything.

"And obviously, if they want me, I'm delighted (to stay). I will repeat: my idea is always to stay here. My idea and my family's idea is to end my career here. Firstly because of what I feel for the club and also because of how happy my family is in the city. 

"Also for my kids, I don't want them to have to change their friendships. I wouldn't like to break everything. That's also the stuff which we asses." 

Does that mean no return to Newell's in Rosario? 

"I always dreamed since I was little of playing for Newell's and in Argentina," he added. "Everything that surrounds the game there is different to the rest of the world, for good and for bad. 

"But sometimes you have to think more about the family than what you want. The family is the most important thing."