FCBARCELONA.CAT

07.12.2007 14:17

Messi remains ambitious

Roger Bogunyà

Lionel Messi believes that FC Barcelona can win their last three games before Christmas against Deportivo La Coruña, Valencia and Real Madrid as he hopes to end the year on a high note.

Talking after training on Friday, the young Argentinian international spelt out his ambition for the remaining matches of 2007 and also reflected on the praise that he has been receiving after some impressive display for the club this term. Messi's words gave an insight into the ambition and optimism of the player and his desire to continue growing.

Added experience

After the draw with RCD Espanyol last weekend, Blaugrana boss Frank Rijkaard said that "Messi is incredible at dominating the ball, he is spectacular, but with a little more experience we could have won the game". The player himself was asked about those comments this week and he agreed. "I am only 20 and I still lack experience and have only played a handful of games in the first division."

The forward is determined to continue to improve as he added: "If there is something that I do not do well, then the coach will let me know so that I can improve on it."

With Eto'o and Ronaldinho

In the penultimate training session before the Depor game, the trio of Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho was back in eivdence, after the Cameroonian striker returned from his injury lay-off. Messi said that he was "happy" to see the three of them playing together again and he believes that recovering all the injured players is very important.

Nine out of nine

Looking ahead to the final three games of the year, Messi is confident that Barça can take nine points from them. "Our objective is to win all three games," he said. "But we have to go but-by-bit and the first one we should be focussing on is the Depor match."

Ronaldinho doing well

Asked about Ronaldinho, who has been named on the bench for the last two matches, Messi explained that his teammate "is calm and doing well, he is working hard to return".