RONALD KOEMAN reckons Lionel Messi needs to step up his performances following his failure to seal an exit from Barcelona in the summer.
However, the Nou Camp boss insists his skipper is ‘happy’ in the team despite his highly publicised attempts to leave, according to BBC Sport.
Ronald Koeman thinks Lionel Messi needs to improve his performances for Barcelona Credit: EPA
Koeman, 57, who has been charged with the task of reclaiming Barca’s place as champions of Spain, believes his skipper’s form could be much better.
The Argentinian, who was on target 31 times last term and matched Thierry Henry’s record of 20 goals and 20 assists in a single season, has so far netted just one LaLiga goal this term for Barcelona.
Ahead of Barca’s Champions League group game against Ferencvaros tonight, Koeman told BBC Sport: “I don’t have any complaints or doubts about his effort.
“Right now his performances could be better.
“On a day-to-day basis, he’s happy and wants to play and be the team’s captain.”
Messi, 33, was at the centre of a dramatic transfer saga that dominated headlines ahead of the deadline day window.
The Argentina playmaker had become exasperated by his club’s failure to retain their LaLiga crown and angered by Barca’s disastrous semi-final exit from last season’s Champions League
And the six-time Ballon d’Or winner was rumoured to be in line for a sensational reunion with his ex-Barca mentor and boss Guardiola, amid talk of a Manchester City move.
Messi, 33, has scored once in four LaLiga appearancesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
However, the move never transpired and Messi, who is reportedly a free transfer target for City next year, publicly declared his intent to stay.
Messi, who is in the final year of his current contract with Barcelona, will go up against Real Madrid with his team-mates on Saturday.
And the El Classico fixture will be followed by a tantalising Champions League group game clash against Juventus next Wednesday where the Argentinian will face-off against old rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
And with the Serie A title-holders likely to prove stiff competition Koeman reckons Barcelona will face a battle to win Europe’s most prestigious club trophy.
The former Netherlands coach added: “When you’re at Barcelona you always want to be there fighting for trophies, be it in La Liga or Europe.
“We aren’t the favourites, but we can go far.”
Lionel Messi trains with the Barcelona squad
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
