FCBARCELONA.CAT

24.01.2009 23:57

Messi: “I’ll never leave Barça”

Xavi Rocamora / Vanessa Forns

He could have said it louder, but not more clearly. When asked about Real Madrid’s supposed interest in signing him, Lionel Messi declared “I’ll never leave Barça. I’ll only leave if they throw me out”, he added.

In an interview given to Barça TV programme ‘El Marcador’, the Argentinean made it clear about Real Madrid’s supposed interest in signing him. “I’ll never leave Barça. I’ll only leave if they throw me out. Barcelona is my home”, he added.

Grateful to the club

The blaugrana number 10 expressed his gratitude to the club; remembering that he had been very young when he arrived playing in the junior sides. He added that “the club has done a lot for me and my family and I appreciate this”.

Just before, president Joan Laporta had said that Real Madrid’s supposed interest in signing Messi was “a campaign to unsettle us”.

Hard-fought victory

Messi was very happy with his side’s win over Numancia. “It was a hard-fought victory against a team with a really strong defence”. Author of two of Barça’s goals, the striker is aware that “we have to take things week-by-week, and be able to keep up the same rhythm till the end”.

“Each game a final”

Messi, who was once again cheered on by the fans, also said “beyond the fact that we’re playing well, the players are treating each game as a final, with the aim of winning titles”.

The Argentinean also recognised that the wide gap in points at the top made them a bit more at ease; they provide some margin for errors “which I hope won’t be necessary”.