SPAIN: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Messi says Barca need to capitalise on being second in La Liga

Record ID: 694961

  • Title: SPAIN: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Messi says Barca need to capitalise on being second in La Liga
  • Date: 8th May 2014
  • Summary: BARCELONA, SPAIN (MAY 8, 2014) (REUTERS) **FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY** BARCELONA STRIKER LIONEL MESSI ARRIVING WITH OOREDOO (QATAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS) CHAIRMAN SHEIK ABDULLAH AL THANI MESSI SITTING DOWN VARIOUS OF MESSI AND AL THANI (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCELONA STRIKER LIONEL MESSI SAYING: "We are better off this week than we have been beforehand. We have the chance of winning the league and it depends on us. We have to get the most out of this situation and this moment and we will try not to let it go" CAMERAMEN (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCA STRIKER LIONEL MESSI SAYING: "Winning the league is very important. It is a very important title and it is hard to get and it shows the work you have done for a whole year. I don't know whether it would save this season or not, but it is very important" JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCA STRIKER LIONEL MESSI SAYING: "I have heard so many things in the last weeks and the last year. Lots of crazy stuff. Most of it false. But I am fine. The most important thing now is that we have chances in the league. It has been a complicated year, a hard year. Another hard year. But if we end up winning the league, that would be very good for us" MESSI LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE VARIOUS OF MESSI WITH OOREDOO CHAIRMAN SHEIK ABDULLAH AL THANI
  • Embargoed: 23rd May 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAQ8CKR05XUZIB8X388HQ4570
  • Story Text: Barcelona striker Lionel Messi said on Thursday (May 8) that the club need to get the most out of their second place in La Liga if they want silverware this year.
    Barca have 85 points, three behind leaders Atletico Madrid and one ahead of Real Madrid, with two games to play.
    They need to win both games to avoid a sixth season without top silverware; they face 14th-placed Elche away on Sunday and then leaders Atletico at home on May 17.
    Messi was speaking on Thursday as he presented a joint venture between Qatar telecommunications company Ooredoo and his charitable foundation that aims to provide two million children with medical care in the Middle East, North Africa and South East Asia.
    Asked about Barca's chances of winning the league, Messi said: "We are better off this week than we have been beforehand. We have the chance of winning the league and it depends on us. We have to get the most out of this situation and this moment and we will try not to let it go."
    The four-time World Player of the Year spoke of the value of topping the league.
    "Winning the league is very important. It is a very important title and it is hard to get and it shows the work you have done for a whole year. I don't know whether it would save this season or not, but it is very important."
    The Argentine star is in contract negotiations and sources at the club say he could become the best paid player in the world, but he declined to comment, preferring instead to focus on La Liga.
    "I have heard so many things in the last weeks and the last year. Lots of crazy stuff. Most of it false. But I am fine. The most important thing now is that we have chances in the league. It has been a complicated year, a hard year. Another hard year. But if we end up winning the league, that would be very good for us," said Messi.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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