Carles Puyol happy Lionel Messi stayed at Barcelona

Carles Puyol says he is glad that Lionel Messi did not leave Barcelona over the summer and is hoping he stays with the club for many more years.

The former captain sent his support to Messi on social media after the Argentina international informed the Catalan giants he wanted to leave in August.

Puyol has now been talking about Messi’s future and offered his thoughts on the 33-year-old’s future.

“Like any culé, I did not want Messi to leave, but this is football. In the end he decided to stay, he recently said that he is motivated, that he wants to win and we hope he can continue with us for many years. He is a huge asset for LaLiga, he is one of the best in the world.”

Source | La Vanguardia

Messi could still leave the club next summer when his contract expires, but his future may depend on what happens at Barca this season. The team have shown early promise under Ronald Koeman, while a new president will arrive to replace Josep Maria Bartomeu.