‘I Don’t Know If I've To Convince Him To Stay,’ Barca Coach Opens Up About Messi’s Future

FC Barcelona's new manager Ronald Koeman has said he is yet to speak to Lionel Messi, who he hopes will stay with the club.

Barcelona sacked head coach Quique Setien and sporting director Eric Abidal after they suffered a humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League’s quarter-final last week. After a board meeting Monday, the Catalans appointed 57-year-old Koeman as Setien’s successor. Koeman, who left the job as Netherlands soccer team’s head coach, has signed a two-year deal with the Catalans.

Soon after Barcelona’s loss to Bayern Munich, rumors about Messi’s exit this summer started surfacing. However, Barca chief Josep Bartomeu, in an interview, has assured that Messi is among the non-transferable players this summer transfer window, along with the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Frankie de Jong, Nelson Semedo and a few more. Bartomeu even said Philipe Coutinho can stay at Barcelona if Koeman wants him.

Messi's future at Barcelona has come under the radar after the club failed to win a trophy in the 2019-20 season. It is for the first time since 2007-08 the Catalans have gone an entire season without winning a title.

In a recent press conference, Koeman spoke about the team’s immediate future, where he hopes Messi is a part.

"He's still got a contract and is still a Barcelona player. At this point, I need to speak to him because he is the captain. We need to work with him and speak with various players. We need to make some decisions but in Messi's case, I hope he stays with us. I don't know if I have to convince Messi [to stay], whether it's that or not. He is the best player in the world and the best player in the world you want in your team, you don't want him playing against you," added Koeman, BBC Sport reported.

Koeman, who played for Barcelona between 1989 and 1995, further added that he would love to work with Messi because the Argentine wins matches. Messi’s current contract with the La Liga side is due to expire in 2022 and the 33-year-old is yet to sign an extension.