Xavi expresses his desire for Lionel Messi to stay on at Barcelona
By Urja Suchak
With Lionel Messi making 767th appearance for his boyhood club, Barcelona, he approaches the breaking of yet another record. This one set by club legend, Xavi Hernandez. Xavi candidly encourages the Argentine and is hopeful for more seasons at Camp Nou.
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With Leo’s future at the club currently a huge question mark, the rumor mill has predicted everything from interest from PSG to no exit. However, nothing substantial has materialized yet.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, when asked about Messi’s breaking his record, Xavi responded:
"“You could see that Leo would end up surpassing me.”“If he did not leave Barca it was clear that he would add many more games and he is still young to continue playing, he has a lot of football left, so he can play many more games. It had to be Leo.”Source: Goal"
Xavi holds a lot of respect and admiration for the maestro and the affection between the two has been witnessed by fans on numerous occasions. Many fans are desperately waiting for Xavi to return to the club as the manager or sporting director and perhaps a reunion of the legends. He goes on to praise the six-time Ballon d’Or winner and hopes he will remain at the club for ‘many more seasons’.
Xavi on Lionel Messi’s future
"“It is fair that the best player in history is the one who has played in the Barca shirt the most times. It is an honour that the best player in the world, and for me in history, is the one who surpasses me.”“Leo is like that, he’s insurmountable, you can’t compete with him because he always wins.”Xavi added on Messi’s future: “I hope he can add many more games as a Barca player and leave a historic figure, I hope that he will be at Barca for many more seasons.”"
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Whether or not Messi chooses to remain at the club, is yet to be seen. However, like Xavi, fans also hope to see the playmaker with the Blaugranas for more seasons.