In an extensive interview with the newspaper “Sport”, the Barça coach analyzed the variables his team would have with the return of the Argentine.
Xavi Hernandezcoach of FCBarcelonagave an interview to the newspaper “Sport” on Monday in which he refers to the possible return of Lionel Messi and has analyzed what his team could be like with the inclusion of the Argentine striker.
First of all, the Barca coach clarified that his Barca would not change if Messi came: “No, it would be practically the same, the same idea and the same model.” In that sense, he said so “Leo can play in different positions, in different positions: false nine, winger, interior, even as a point guard coming in to make the final pass.”
Xavi believes that “Leo has become almost a midfielder, almost like a midfielder, and he ultimately has that capacity.” It is true that “maybe the explosiveness has lost it, but also We saw a Messi in the extraordinary World Cup, with explosivenessIn the end, I think he still has years ahead of him, at a high level. Not us, today there is no doubt it would help us.”
“For me there is no doubt that if Messi comes back he will help us in terms of football. I told the president that way. I have no doubt, no doubt that he will help us because he’s still a decisive footballer, because he’s still hungry, because he’s a winner, because he is a leader and because he is also a different, different player. For example, we don’t have a Barça with a talent within reach from 2010. And what would Messi bring you? It would give you talent. Last pass, set pieces, goals… in the last third, difference player. Therefore, and the way I want to play, the way we want to play in the staff, there is no doubt in my mind that he would contribute a lot for us, but it depends on him, it depends on him. Ultimately, I think Leo has the upper hand at this point, Leo has it. There is no doubt about it,” the former midfielder insisted
When asked if he is talking to Messi, he replied: “Yes, I am talking to him. Yes, it is true that we have already won in the post-Messi era and that has an extraordinary, extraordinary merit. It is not going to happen anyway appreciated, but the fear we culés had was when Leo leaves, ‘what are we going to do?’ Well, Barca survived. I think we have rebuilt the team, the group very well and this League and this Super Cup have a spectacular merit to do so without the best player in the history of this club and world football, which has a lot of merit”.
“It’s hard to put yourself in the shoes of a player who has won everything. It’s hard, isn’t it? I wouldn’t know what doubts I could have. Maybe it’s another project, that important football players and a very good relationship for Leo, like Busi and Jordi, leave. I don’t know, I’m not in his head. With the relationship I have with him, I think I’ve been very clear. The doors are open here. If he wants to come, as a coach I have no doubts, none, none. I think it would help us a lot. That’s why I’ve already said in recent days that you ask me at a press conference and I say it basically depends on your personal decision,” he concluded.
Source: Goal