Newly-appointed Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman has insisted he would “love” Lionel Messi to stay at the club but admits the star may need convincing.
The Dutchman was appointed manager on a two-year deal on Wednesday following the departure of Quique Setien, who was sacked after a humiliating 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.
For the first time since the 2007/08 season, Barcelona failed to claim any silverware and reports subsequently emerged claiming that Messi wants to leave the club this summer.
According to standard Sport Messi has not asked to leave but uncertainty remains over his future beyond his current contract, which is due to expire in 2021.
Speaking at his unveiling, Koeman assured Messi remains very much in his plans.
“I don’t know if I have to convince Messi,” Koeman told reporters at the Camp Nou. “He is the best player in the world and you want the best player in the world in your team, not on the other side.
“For my part, I would love to work with Messi. He wins football matches and I would be really happy if he decides to stay.”
He added: “He has a contract. He has one year left. He is a Barcelona player.”
While Koeman is planning for Messi’s stay, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has warned “drastic measures” will be taken this summer, with the Argentinian one of only seven players not up for sale.
“I only want to work with players who want to be here and if they are not happy, let them say it,” Koeman said.
“Out of respect to the players, I am not going to talk about individual players here.”
Asked whether he intended to clear out the club’s older players, he added: “A 33-year-old player is not necessarily finished. It’s all about whether they have the hunger.
“There are 20-year-olds who don’t have the hunger. We have to have the best for the team. I only want to work with players who will give the maximum for Barcelona.”
The former Barcelona defender also insisted his side’s 8-2 defeat was sad to see, also revealing just how much the club means to him.
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