Luis Enrique says it would be 'lovely' to see Messi playing for Barcelona until his retirement

Record ID: 78330

  • Title: Luis Enrique says it would be 'lovely' to see Messi playing for Barcelona until his retirement
  • Date: 18th November 2016
  • Summary: BARCELONA, SPAIN (NOVEMBER 18, 2016) (REUTERS) FC BARCELONA PLAYERS ON TRAINING PITCH VARIOUS OF FORWARDS LIONEL MESSI, NEYMAR, DEFENDER GERARD PIQUE AND STRIKER LUIS SUAREZ ON TRAINING PITCH COACH LUIS ENRIQUE ON TRAINING PITCH VARIOUS OF PLAYERS ON TRAINING PITCH GOALKEEPER MARC-ANDRE TER STEGEN ON TRAINING PITCH VARIOUS OF PLAYERS ON TRAINING PITCH COACH LUIS ENRIQUE ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM LUIS ENRIQUE DRINKING WATER FROM A BOTTLE CAMERAMEN / LUIS ENRIQUE JOURNALISTS ATTENDING CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCELONA COACH, LUIS ENRIQUE, SAYING: "I imagine Messi playing for Barca for many years. It would be lovely to see a player who left his country when he was a youngster full of dreams, ending his career in the club that gave him the opportunity and as the number one in history. For me this would be the perfect story." PLAYERS ON TRAINING PITCH (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCELONA COACH, LUIS ENRIQUE, SAYING: "There is no room for discussion. For me, Messi is the best player of all times and history. To win one prize more or less is not important, there's such a huge difference between him and the rest of the players that even having a doubt about that is ridiculous." MESSI AND PLAYERS ON TRAINING PITCH (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCELONA COACH, LUIS ENRIQUE, SAYING: "We play against Malaga during their best series of results since the start of La Liga. Their confidence will be really high and they don't need too much elaboration to generate danger situations. I imagine they will play the same way as other teams when they are visiting Nou Camp, in a very defensive manner and sitting back." LUIS ENRIQUE LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM
  • Embargoed: 3rd December 2016 14:59
  • Keywords: Barcelona Luis Enrique Messi Malaga La Liga Spain
  • Location: BARCELONA, SPAIN
  • City: BARCELONA, SPAIN
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Soccer,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA00158Z03EN
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Spanish media is speculating with the possibility of Messi not renewing his contract with Barca but coach Luis Enrique said on Friday (November 18) he hopes to see the Argentine playing for his team for many years.
    "I imagine Messi playing for Barca for many years. It would be lovely to see a player who left his country when he was a youngster full of dreams, ending his career in the club that gave him the opportunity and as the number one in history. For me this would be the perfect story," said Luis Enrique.
    Barcelona is working on Messi's contract renewal before the current agreement ends in January 2018.
    Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi is a candidate for the next Ballon d'Or but, for Luis Enrique, the prizes are not important to assess the career of Messi.
    "There is no room for discussion. For me, Messi is the best player of all time and history. To win one prize more or less is not important, there's such a huge difference between him and the rest of the players that even having a doubt about that is ridiculous," he said.
    After the league stop due to international matches, Barcelona will face Malaga this Saturday (November 19) at Nou Camp.
    Barcelona are second, two points adrift of Real Madrid who this Saturday (November 19) visit Atletico Madrid at Vicente Calderon stadium.
    The Catalans are facing Malaga who are tenth with 15 points.
    Brazil forward Neymar was booked against Sevilla and is one card away from a ban.
    Uruguay forward Luis Suarez will miss the game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign during the game at Sevilla, resulting in a one-game ban.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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