Suárez's advice to Messi on Barcelona future
Atlético Madrid striker Luis Suárez has advised his former team mate Lionel Messi to stay and finish his career at Barcelona.
Luis Suárez believes friend and former team mate Lionel Messi should stay at Barcelona amid speculation the Argentine talisman could leave Camp Nou this summer after a failed exit bit last August.
Suárez and Messi struck up a close friendship during their time together at Barcelona, which ended when the Uruguayan left for Atlético Madrid in September. But the 34-year-old believes that Messi, who has been linked with PSG and Manchester City, should not follow him to the Camp Nou exit door this summer, claiming a move away “wouldn’t be good for him”.
“The best thing would be to finish his career where he has been happier,” said Suarez in an interview with TV3.
“If you ask me, as a friend, I'll tell you that I don't see him anywhere other than Barcelona, it wouldn't be good for him. But he will be the one to make the decision. Barcelona is the team that has given him everything and he has also given everything to the club,” added the Atlético forward.
Messi close to agreeing Barcelona stay
Messi has a contract with Barcelona until the end of this season and the Argentine has yet to confirm his intentions to extend his deal at the club, although it is believed that he is close to agreeing to stay.
Amid reports this week that PSG are ready to make an “unbeatable offer” for the Barcelona number 10, his father and agent, Jorge Messi, is understood to have met with Blaugrana president Joan Laporta to communicate his son’s desire to continue and his willingness to accept a 50% salary cut.
Lionel Messi news:
According to TV3, Messi’s camp is open to a plan that would see him play for Barça for another two years, before ending his career in Major League Soccer and acting as a Blaugrana ambassador during his time in the US. He would then return to the Camp Nou to take up a directorial position at the club.