Koeman opens up on Messi's state of mind amid transfer talk

The FC Barcelona manager gave an update on Messi’s state of mind after the skipper’s superb display against Alaves.

Lionel Messi is ‘excited and happy’, says Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman amid the ongoing transfer rumors regarding his future.

A brace on Saturday night increased Messi’s tally to 15 goals in only 20 La Liga outings and helped Barcelona thrash Deportivo Alaves 5-1. The Argentine is now a goal behind the league’s top-scorer, and former teammate, Luis Suarez.

His superb performance was a timely boost for Barcelona ahead of Tuesday’s first-leg with Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League last-16 tie.

“Well, we know that Leo is a decisive player,” said Koeman as quoted by Goal. “He has been for many years, he is very concentrated. He’s excited, he’s happy and he’s been very effective in front of goal.

“He’s someone that when we make passes between the lines to find him it gives a load of depth for the rest of the players and makes them even easier for him.

“He has a great vision of play, so of course if we want to try and go through or aspire to win trophies having Messi at his best is vital, but we need also everyone else at the best. That’s very important.”

As well as bagging another brace, Messi also reached two career milestones in the victory over Alaves.