Lionel Messi has revealed that he wants to repay Barcelona for “everything they’ve done for me” with victory in this season’s Champions League final.
The Argentine has been at Camp Nou since 2000, when the club agreed to pay for the then-13-year-old’s growth hormone treatment on the condition he and his father moved to Spain.
Now 27, Messi feels he is obliged to continually do his best for La Blaugrana and hopes to cap off the season with European glory against Juventus on June 6.
“[The Champions League final] is a different but special game,” he said in an interview with UEFA.com.
“We suffered a lot to get into the final and we know it won’t be easy because Juventus are a great team and anything can happen.
“[Xavi Hernandez] is the best player in Spain’s history. He passes the ball wherever you want it and it was my pleasure to play alongside him on the pitch and in training.
“[Dani Alves] is the best full-back in the world. It’s very difficult to find one like him nowadays, with his desire.
“Coming [to Barca] was very important, not only for my football career but personally.
“I grew up at this club and want to do so much for them in light of everything they’ve done for me.”
