Spread the love

Lionel Messi has another “seven very good years” left in the tank as former Barcelona midfielder Xavi tips the attacker to remain at the Nou Camp until he is 39 years old.

RELATED ARTICLES

Messi has won almost everything there is to win in football since moving to Barcelona from Newell’s Old Boys in 2010.

The 32-year-old has six Ballon d’Or’s to his name – one more than Cristiano Ronaldo – but he has never won the World Cup with Argentina.

Therefore Xavi thinks that will serve as motivation and Messi has been tipped to represent his country at the next event in 2022 in Qatar

“He’s still got five or seven very good years left in him,” Xavi said of Messi during an Instagram chat with Samuel Eto’o.

He takes good care of himself and he can keep playing until he’s 37, 38 or 39. He’ll play at the Qatar World Cup, I’m sure.”

Messi

Lionel Messi has been predicted to continue playing until he is 39 years old 

Messi has been linked with a move away from Barcelona in recent months after a series of falling outs with club bosses.

The forward was frustrated with the way head coach Ernesto Valverde was axed.

The Catalan giants approached Xavi, who managed Qatar side, Al Sadd, to replace Valverde but he turned them down and they instead appointed Quique Setien.

“In January, it wasn’t the right moment,” Xavi explained.

RELATED ARTICLES

READ MORE

“I had conversations with Eric Abidal [Barcelona’s sporting director] and Oscar Grau [Barcelona chief executive] and a big offer, but it wasn’t the right moment.

“I need a bit more experience. Coaching Barcelona is my dream. I’d like to do it one day. I’ve said that many times.”

Barcelona are on course to win the La Liga title this year as they sit pretty at the top of the table.

Rivals Real Madrid are expected to strengthen all areas of their squad this summer so Xavi would like to see Barcelona do likewise by bringing Neymar back from Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar

Neymar has been backed to return to Barcelona. “Footballing wise, he’s in the top three or five players in the world, no doubt,” Xavi added, “He can make the difference. Let’s hope he returns to Barcelona. “I’m a Barcelona fan and I want the best players there.”

EXPRESS

By admin

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.