Cesc Fabregas has opened up about private conversations with former teammate Lionel Messi concerning the Barcelona superstar’s transfer plans.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s future is a constant source of interest for fans, as many view him as the greatest to ever kick a football - but he is now entering the latter stages of his career aged 32.
A breakdown in relations at Barcelona recently gave rise to sensational reports that Messi was set to leave the club for Inter Milan or return to Newell’s Old Boys.
However, the Argentina legend rubbished those rumours in an Instagram post earlier this month, while close friend Fabregas has provided a more reliable update concerning Messi’s future.
"I speak with Messi and his idea has always been to end his career at Barcelona,” Fabregas told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.
“Many things can happen at a club but I am fully confident that his career will end at Barca.”
Fabregas came through the ranks at Barcelona’s La Masia academy before joining Arsenal in 2003 and returning to Camp Nou eight years later.
The World Cup winner has since played for Chelsea and current side Monaco, but also outlined that he had “quite a few options” to join Barcelona’s bitter rivals Real Madrid earlier in his career.
The Spaniard refused to rule out that he may take on a coaching role at the Santiago Bernabeu one day despite his allegiances to the Catalan club. "You can never say never,” he added.
“I know this very clearly. As a player, maybe, but as a coach, it is different because you can manage 30 teams in your career.
“As a player, the contracts are longer but as a coach, you are likely to have many more opportunities because they can kick you out after two days.”
