Koeman raises uncertainty over Messi's future at Barcelona

The mercurial Argentine is said to considering leaving the Camp Nou when his contract runs out at the end of the current campaign.

Ronald Koeman is “not confident” if Lionel Messi will sign a contract extension with FC Barcelona.

The Barcelona skipper’s future became a subject of intense speculations when he, frustrated with the direction of the club on and off the field after the humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, handed in a transfer request back in August.

The 33-year-old has said he will make a final decision on his future at the end of the season, having made a U-turn on his initial decision when it came to taking Barca to court.

Interest from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain has been reported for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner who remains productive as ever with 22 direct goal contributions in 24 games in 2020-21.

Koeman, though, cannot envision Messi playing for any other club and wants him to stay put.

“I’m not confident about that,” the Blaugrana head coach responded when asked Messi will commit his future to the club beyond 2021 in an exclusive interview with The Athletic.

“I’m hopeful, yes, about this because he’s still a great player and he’s still winning matches for us, for the team.

“I’m enjoying being his coach, if you look at his qualities every day in the training sessions, it’s incredible.

“Of course, he came as a young kid to Barcelona. And I still don’t see Leo Messi in another shirt other than the Barca shirt.”