KEY POINTS

  • Lionel Messi scored in Barcelona's 2-1 loss Sunday
  • He has netted 37 goals this season for Barca
  • His current contract is due to expire at the end of this season

FC Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman Sunday said if Lionel Messi decides to leave this summer, he isn’t sure who’ll score the goals for his side.

Koeman’s comments came after Barcelona’s 2-1 loss to Celta Vigo at home, which could be Messi’s final appearance at the Camp Nou. While Copa del Rey has been won, Barcelona can finish at best third in the La Liga this season, following their latest loss, with one game in hand.

Barcelona skipper’s current deal with the Catalans is due to expire at the end of the 2020-21 season and it is still uncertain if he would choose to stay at his boyhood club. He has made it clear that he wants to play for a club with a strong sporting project and two top European clubs Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) continue to hold interest in him.

On Sunday, Messi opened the scoring in the 28th minute but it could be his final goal in Barcelona colors at the iconic Camp Nou. Having played 46 competitive matches in the ongoing campaign, Messi has netted 37 goals and provided 14 assists, including 29 goals in the La Liga.

"He has shown today it is impossible to play without him. He is still the best player in the world. He has already scored 30 goals that have earned this team a lot of points. It is a question for Leo to answer. As far as I'm concerned, and the team is concerned, we hope he stays because if we're not going to have Leo we will have serious doubts about who is going to score so many goals." Koeman was quoted by BBC Sport, as saying, in a post-match interview after Barcelona’s 2-1 loss at home Sunday.

Lionel Messi could not prevent Barcelona drawing away at Levante on Tuesday.
Lionel Messi's current deal with Barcelona is due to expire at the end of the 2020-21 campaign. AFP / JOSE JORDAN

With the goal against Celta Vigo, Messi now has scored in 300 different LaLiga appearances, more than any other player in the competition ever, according to Opta Jose.

Meanwhile, there have been reports suggesting Koeman could be replaced by former Barcelona skipper Xavi Hernandez as the club’s manager for next season. However, Koeman refused to comment about his future at Barcelona.

"My future? That's not a question for me. I won't talk about it. I said what I think in my press conference before the game and I won't repeat it," added Koeman in the same interview.

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