“You can never accept being second if you’re wearing the Barca shirt” - Lionel Messi makes feelings clear on what he expects from Barcelona stars
Club legend Lionel Messi has made his expectations from the Barcelona players clear. The Inter Miami ace enjoyed a hugely successful playing career for the club, representing them between 2004 and 2021.
Messi signed for the Spanish giants aged 13 and rose through the ranks before becoming the club's greatest-ever player. The Argentine forward holds the record for most goals scored (672) in the club's history, as well as the most assists (269). He also won a plethora of trophies, including two trebles in 2009 and 2015, in 778 appearances across competitions.
Lionel Messi raised the bar at Barcelona, earning widespread recognition as the best player in the world. The 37-year-old spoke with Mundo Deportivo journalist Fernando Polo about his expectations from the current crop of players at the club, which he considers the biggest in the world.
"I would love to see Barça winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and also the Champions League again. And in the years when that’s not possible, at least competing until the very end. You can never accept being second if you’re wearing the Barça shirt. This means being part of the biggest club in the world," he said (via @AlbicelesteTalk).
The current Barcelona squad has struggled to maintain the lofty standards set by Lionel Messi and his peers. Following his departure, they have won LaLiga just once, under Xavi in 2023. They have also not won the UEFA Champions League in almost a decade, and the Copa del Rey since Messi's departure in 2021.
La Blaugrana currently sit atop the 2024/25 LaLiga standings, ahead of rivals Real Madrid by four points after 16 games, but have played a game more. Hansi Flick's side are also on course for a place in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League this season.
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami set for FIFA Club World Cup group stage
Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates will now begin preparation for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with the group-stage draw held recently. They qualified for the competition after winning the Supporters' Shield with a record points tally in the 2024 MLS regular season.
Inter Miami have been drawn in Group A of the tournament, being the representatives of the host nation USA. They will face Egyptian side Al Ahly, Portuguese outfit FC Porto, and back-to-back Brazilian league champions Palmeiras in their group.
Messi will participate alongside the likes of Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, all of whom have lifted the FIFA Club World Cup in the past. Inter Miami will kick off the tournament against Al Ahly on June 15 next year in Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.