LIONEL MESSI has cut short his holidays to meet new Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman – amid reports he could ask to leave.
The LaLiga giants’ stunning 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich confirmed their first trophyless campaign in 12 years.
Questions have been asked of Lionel Messi’s future after Barcelona’s nightmare end to the seasonCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
Ronald Koeman has taken over at the Camp Nou and must persuade Messi to stayCredit: Reuters
And Messi, 33, is said to have been weighing up his options while the club sacked its coach and technical director.
Incoming boss Koeman, 57, is due to meet the Argentine on Thursday, according to TyC Sports.
Messi had been holidaying with his family in a house he owns in the Pyrenees mountains, to the north of Barcelona, but has cut that stay short for the talks.
Having signed a two-year deal on Wednesday, Koeman admitted that one of his first jobs will be convincing Messi to stay.
The Dutchman told reporters: “He’s still got a contract and is still a Barcelona player.
“At this point I need to speak to him because he is the captain.
If he’s at the ability and level he has always shown I’d be more than happy for him to stay.
Ronald Koeman
“We need to work with him and speak with various players. We need to make some decisions but in Messi’s case I hope he stays with us.
“I don’t know if I have to convince Messi [to stay], whether it’s that or not. He is the best player in the world and the best player in the world you want in your team, you don’t want him playing against you.
“As a coach I would love to work with Messi because he wins matches. If he’s at the ability and level he has always shown I’d be more than happy for him to stay.”
Manchester City, coached by the striker’s former boss Pep Guardiola, are the immediate club linked with a shock transfer.
Man City are the favourites to sign Messi this summer
Messi’s contract is up in 2021 and the star forward has appeared increasingly frustrated in recent months.
Since departing Lisbon following the devastation of the Bayern hammering, he has been conspicuously silent while the club attempts to calm the panic around the Camp Nou.
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has insisted that Messi does want to see out his career in Catalonia.
He said: “Messi wants to end his career at Barcelona.
“I regularly speak to him and his father [Jorge]. He’s part of our project.
“Koeman will be the new manager and he told me that Messi is a key player for our new project.”
He added: “I spoke with Jorge Messi. He told me what we all know, that there is a strong disappointment.
“The disappointment is correct. [Have your] holidays, clear your head and start the season with full force.”
A look at the career of Lionel Messi as rumours circulate the Barcelona captain is looking to leave Camp Nou
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
