MX23RW : Tuesday, April 1 19:57:48| >> :120:18616:18616:

Joan Laporta: 'Lionel Messi wants to stay at Barcelona'

Lionel Messi wants to sign a new contract with Barcelona, according to the Catalan club's presidential candidate Joan Laporta.

Lionel Messi is "happy" at Barcelona and wants to sign a new contract at Camp Nou, according to presidential candidate Joan Laporta.

The Argentina international's current deal with the Catalan giants is due to expire at the end of June, and Manchester City, as well as Paris Saint-Germain, continue to be linked with his services.

However, Laporta, who is the favourite to replace Josep Maria Bartomeu as Barca president, has insisted that the 33-year-old "will do everything in his power" to remain with the club.

"Messi is now totally focused on catching Atletico Madrid in La Liga and playing the Paris Saint-Germain tie in the Champions League," Sport quotes Laporta as saying.

"I do not know if he will be playing on Sunday [in the Spanish Super Cup final] but he will be on the bench and it is important that Leo encourage his teammates.

"I see him more and more happy, he is enjoying it. I know that he wants to stay and I know that he will do everything in his power to stay as long as the club can offer him an offer that suits him."

Messi struggled to show his best form in the early stages of the season but has managed four goals in his last two league appearances, taking his total to 14 for the season in all competitions.

Barca have postponed their presidential elections, which were due to take place on January 24, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

ID:430921: cacheID:430921:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2983:
Written by
Matt Law
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Lionel Messi in action for Barcelona on December 19, 2020
Read Next:
Barcelona presidential candidate expects Lionel Messi exit this summer
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal291610353242958
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest29166749351454
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham2912984338545
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd29107123740-337
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2997133349-1634
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2975174058-1826
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!