Messi will leave one day claims Deco

Former Barcelona midfielder Deco believes Lionel Messi will leave the club – but not just yet.

The 37-year-old, who won two La Liga titles and a UEFA Champions League in a four-year spell with Barca, asserts that Messi will stay with the Catalans for now and there is no reason to fear losing him in the short term.

“I know he’ll leave one day because that’s only to be expected. Everything comes to an end eventually,” Deco told Marca.

“I’m aware there is all sorts of speculation when great players speak out, but nobody lasts for every at a team, much less so in football. Great players and coaches come and go.

“With Messi’s history at Barcelona it’s difficult to see him at any other club, but it will happen one day.

“It could be this year, in a year’s time or in five years, but it depends on a lot of things.”

The Portuguese insists, having played with Messi for a time, that the key to keeping him at the club where he has grown up is making sure he is happy.

“I just think that players like Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar need to be happy to produce their best. That’s the big secret.

“If Leo is happy, he’ll stay. If not, he’ll look for a better option. He needs to be happy and content.”

Asked about the records Messi continues to break, Deco maintained that individual awards are not what motivates him.

“That’s not what pushes him on. I know him well. He’s never been someone who is interested in individual records.

“He’s not selfish but somebody who is used to winning all the time,” he argued.

 

Tags Deco Messi
La Liga - Club News