Ronald Koeman admits he is not confident that Lionel Messi will remain at Barcelona next season.
Messi, one of the greatest players there has ever been in the game, has spent his entire professional career at the Nou Camp after coming through their academy but was involved in a furious standoff with the club last summer when his attempt to leave was blocked.
Koeman had just been appointed manager at the time but could do little as the player butted heads with club bosses before reluctantly agreeing to remain in Spain. And the former Everton coach will not be able to stop Messi from walking away on a free transfer this summer if the player is as determined to leave.
Manchester City were one of the clubs closely following the situation last summer and are looking to strengthen their forward line this year as a priority. Paris Saint-Germain have also been heavily linked with the 33-year-old.
Speaking to Alan Shearer on The Athletic - before details of Messi's contract had been leaked in the Spanish media - Koeman gave his honest opinion of whether the best player at the club will stay beyond this season.
“I’m not confident about that,” he said.
“I’m hopeful, yes, about this 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.”
