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Lionel Messi tells Koeman he still wants to leave Barcelona

The appointment of Ronald Koeman as Barcelona head coach has seemingly done little to ease the un...



Lionel Messi tells Koeman he s...
Soccer

Lionel Messi tells Koeman he still wants to leave Barcelona

The appointment of Ronald Koeman as Barcelona head coach has seemingly done little to ease the unhappiness of Lionel Messi. 

The pair met today for the first time after Koeman was installed as Quique Setien's replacement at the Camp Nou.

Reports of Messi's unhappiness have been rife following Barca's 8-2 Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Koeman told his first news conference on Wednesday that meeting with the Argentine was his first order of business.

The 1992 European Cup-winner told the media, "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.

"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."

According to RAC1, that meeting did not go as planned.

Koeman outlined his vision for Barcelona over the next two seasons, but Messi responded that he does not see a clear future for the Catalan giants.

They say Messi sees himself leaving rather than staying.

However, the 33-year old is aware of the difficulties there would be in leaving, especially with regard to his lucrative contract.

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Barcelona Champions League La Liga Lionel Messi Quique Setién Ronald Koeman UEFA Champions League