Lionel Messi: I want Valverde to stay at FC Barcelona

Lionel Messi has pledged his support for FC Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde, despite another failure in the Champions League.

The former Athletic Bilbao boss was criticised after the Catalan side let a commanding 3-0 lead slip in their last four clash with Liverpool FC, with Jurgen Klopp's side winning 4-0 at Anfield in the reverse fixture. 

However, club captain Messi remains convinced that Valverde is the man to lead the club in 2019-20.

"What happened at Anfield was not the fault of the manager, we the players, are to play.

"The coach has done impressive work since he has been here.

"I would like Valverde to continue for next year, we won a double last year and we can repeat that this weekend.

"Losing a final would leave us in a worse position that we are now, so we must give everything to win the Copa again"

FC Barcelona face Valencia CF in the Copa del Rey final this weekend, where a win would them a fifth successive title in the cup, a new record in Spanish football. 

Tags Ernesto Valverde FC Barcleona Lionel Messi
La Liga - Club News