It’s not true that Messi is unhappy – Koeman

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 17 May 2021 18:50 BST
• 1 min read

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman insists that Lionel Messi is “excited and happy” despite reports that he will leave the club this summer.

Messi’s contract at Camp Nou expires at the end of the season and there are no signs currently that he intends to pen an extension.

The 33-year-old had a very public falling-out with the club last summer and announced his intention to quit the Blaugrana.

He eventually agreed to stay for the last year of his contract – with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City the favourites for his signature come June.

But Koeman says that Messi is happy at Barcelona.

“We know that Leo is a decisive player,” the Dutch coach said after Messi scored twice in the 5-1 win over Alaves on Saturday evening. 

“He has been for many years, he is very concentrated. He’s excited, he’s happy and he’s been very effective in front of goal.

“He’s someone that when we make passes between the lines to find him it gives a load of depth for the rest of the players and makes them even easier for him.

“He has a great vision of play, so of course if we want to try and go through or aspire to win trophies, having Messi at his best is vital. But we need also everyone else at the best. That’s very important.”

Messi has been in outstanding form of late, scoring nine goals in his last nine matches.