Offside News

Sports

Messi wants Guardiola to stay as Barcelona boss

Comment: 0 February 20th, 2012 by: admin

CITING Pepe Guardiola’s importance to Barcelona, team talisman Lionel Messi said on Sunday he hopes the coach would extend his contract with the Catalan side.

The three-time World Player of the Year added he wants Guardiola to remain as boss beyond this season after the latter declared that he needs more time to decide on his future.

“He knows what we think, and he’ll make his decision when he is ready,’’ the Argentine superstar told Spanish television after powering Barca to a 5-1 pounding of Valencia in the La Liga.

Messi stressed that Guardiola is very important to him and his teammates and Barca as a whole. “We hope he stays.’’

Against Valencia, Messi was again at his finest form as he padded his league goal output to 27 from 23 matches – just one behind Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo. He now has 146 goals since debuting in the league in October 2004.

And by making his 200^th league appearance, he made history by becoming the youngest Barca player to reach that milestone at 24 years and 240 days. Xavi held the previous mark at 25 years and 236 days.

The win put the Catalans 10 points behind the Los Blancos who pummeled Racing Santander 4-0 a day earlier to remain in command.

“The team played an incredible game,’’ said Messi, whose last four-goal feat was made against Arsenal during a Champions League tussle nearly two years ago.

Barca are eyeing a fourth consecutive league crown under Guardiola, who has given the team 13 trophies since taking over as boss in 2008.

Based on Barca vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu, they are not worried that Guardiola will leave. “He is an exceptional coach and he decides the timescales. We are at his disposition and when he wants he will speak to us.’’

Bartomeu added the team is counting on Guardiola. “With him there are no limits. He is an exceptional person.’’

Valencia drew first blood after Pablo Piatti stunned Barca with a goal in the 9^th minute.

But it was all the hosts from there as Messi waxed hot.

The Barca ace first found the net in the 22^nd and then followed it up in the 27^th, 75 and 86^th, with Xavi netting the other in added time.

More