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Ronald Koeman says Barcelona confirmed Lionel Messi the membership have a brilliant future regardless of being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Messi, 33, was on course as Barca drew 1-1 in Paris, exiting the competitors on the final 16 stage for the primary time since 2007 following a 5-2 aggregate defeat.
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It may show to be Messi’s final European sport in Barca colors if he decides to not renew his contract when it expires in June, however Koeman believes current enhancements may persuade him to remain.
“Leo’s seen for some time that the crew is bettering with the modifications we have made,” the Barca coach stated after exiting the Champions League.
“We now have kids with high quality and large futures coming into the crew, so it isn’t a query of getting doubts about what this crew is able to.
“However solely he can resolve his future. Nobody will help him. He can see this facet has an ideal future, in order that’s not an argument for him to [leave].”
Messi wished to go away final August following the 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich within the UCL. He stated there was “no challenge” on the membership and criticised the board and president in cost on the time.
Each Manchester City and PSG are keen on signing him if he does go away Barca this summer time, sources have beforehand advised ESPN.
Nonetheless, with Joan Laporta replacing Josep Maria Bartomeu as the club’s president this week and Barca exhibiting indicators of enchancment for the reason that flip of the yr, there’s renewed hope he may keep.
Koeman’s religion in younger gamers, akin to Pedri and Ilaix Moriba, has modified the temper across the membership and Barca are unbeaten in 16 video games within the league and have progressed to the ultimate of the Copa del Rey, though they had been comfortably knocked out of the Champions League by PSG ultimately.
Following a 4-1 defeat at Camp Nou within the first leg, hopes of manufacturing an unlikely comeback had been additional sophisticated when Kylian Mbappe gave PSG the lead from the penalty spot on Wednesday.
Messi drew Barca stage on the evening however missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time. Ousmane Dembele had earlier missed two good possibilities and Sergino Dest hit the bar as Koeman’s facet went out combating.
“We’re eradicated, which is what counts on this sport, however we even have good sensations as a result of we had possibilities to make it extra sophisticated for PSG,” Koeman added.
“We did not get the reward our first half deserved. We dominated PSG and created quite a lot of possibilities. However we did not take them. After going into the break at 1-1, it turns into tougher.
“The primary leg end result was extreme. PSG had been very medical. That is been the large distinction. We created greater than them right here than they did in Barcelona, however they scored extra.
“However I can not fault the crew. They put in an enormous effort. We additionally lacked slightly little bit of luck and their goalkeeper [Keylor Navas] was the person of the match.”
Striker Antoine Griezmann known as on Barca to make use of the efficiency as a stepping stone to win the Copa del Rey and La Liga, the place they at present sit second within the desk, six factors behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
“We’re pissed as a result of we wished to undergo, however the efficiency offers us confidence,” Griezmann stated. “We performed rather well and had 4 actually clear possibilities, plus the penalty, however we simply couldn’t take them.
“We wished to place in an ideal efficiency, to present our all, nevertheless it wasn’t to be. We nonetheless have La Liga and the Copa; that is the target now.”
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