Barcelona

Samuel Eto'o: 'Lionel Messi is Barcelona'

By Sammy Wynne | 28 June 2021

Former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o admits that he cannot imagine Lionel Messi playing for another team, as the Argentine's future at Camp Nou is unresolved.

Former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has admitted that he cannot imagine Lionel Messi leaving Camp Nou this summer.

The talisman's future with the Spanish giants has been in doubt with his contract due to expire this week, and there is no agreement in place as of yet as discussions are still ongoing.

Messi's father and agent Jorge Messi left Barcelona on Saturday with no final agreement and now negotiations will continue from a distance.

However, Messi's former teammate Eto'o is confident that the Argentine striker will remain a Barca player, telling La Nacion: "I can't imagine Leo with another shirt. It is his club, his home, his love.

"I do not think that his continuity is due to a question of money. Leo is Barcelona and Barcelona is Messi. I know president Joan Laporta is preparing a reliable, interesting project for him.

"Between the two of them (Messi and Sergio Aguero) they can add 60 goals per season, I only ask that God protects them from injury.

"He had everything. I felt he should score more goals, he was a very quiet boy, but it makes me happy that in one season he scored 40-45 goals. Playing with Messi makes games easier for you, I thank him very much."

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barca, winning 35 trophies along the way.