Lionel Messi hopes to stay in Spain forever
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has rejected the advances made by Massimo Moratti, claiming that while he was flattered by the Inter Milan president’s praise he is hoping to stay with the La Liga champions for the rest of his career.
After initially joking about the prospect of taking Messi to Serie A, Moratti had claimed that he was serious about his attempts to sign the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year from the club where he has spent his entire professional career.
Moratti also issued high praise for the attacker, claiming that the Argentina international was the ‘strongest’ player in the world and that it would be difficult to pry him away from Pep Guardiloa’s squad but he would try to do so.
Messi, however, has distanced himself from any notion that he could be making a move to Inter to play under Rafael Benitez.
'Barcelona is my home'
Ahead of Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League group stage match against Copenhagen at the Camp Nou, the 23-year-old told reporters at a press conference that: “I think he clarified he was only joking. This is my home. I thank Moratti for what he said, even
if he was joking, but I hope to stay here in Spain forever."
Since breaking into the Barcelona first team as a 17-year-old under Frank Rijkaard, Messi has become an ever present in a Barcelona side which has rolled over all opponents in recent years, culminating in a hugely successful 2009 which was the club claim
an unprecedented six trophies in one year.
He has won two Champions League titles, four Primera Division titles, four Spanish Super Cups and the FIFA Club World Cup, establishing himself as one of the finest football players on the planet in the process.
Tags: