MX23RW : Monday, June 3 09:13:12| >> :120:30230:30230:

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman "not confident" of Lionel Messi stay

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman hopes to see Lionel Messi sign a new deal at Camp Nou, but fears that the Argentina international may move on in the summer.

Ronald Koeman has admitted that he is "not confident" Lionel Messi will stay on at Barcelona beyond this season.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner has spent his entire career at Camp Nou, racking up more than 750 appearances for the La Liga giants.

Messi failed in an attempt to leave the club last summer, but he is out of contract in four months' time and is able to open talks with foreign clubs regarding a free transfer.

Barca had been hopeful of persuading Messi to agree fresh terms, though Koeman cannot guarantee that the Argentina international will remain in Catalonia.

"I'm not confident about that," Koeman told The Athletic when asked if he thinks Messi will stay. "I'm hopeful, yes, because he's still a great player and he's still winning matches for us, for the team.

"I'm enjoying being his coach. If you look at his qualities every day in the training sessions, it's incredible. Of course, he came as a young kid to Barcelona. And I still don't see Leo Messi in another shirt other than the Barca shirt."

Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City are considered the only two realistic destinations for Messi should he depart Barcelona in the summer.

ID:433399: cacheID:433399:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2952:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi pictured on November 7, 2020
Read Next:
Laporta: 'Messi could stay at Barcelona'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!