Messi happy at Barca

By European Football
September 21 2005

Argentine star Lionel Messi has insisted that he is very happy at Barcelona and has no intention of leaving, despite admitting frustration over the red tape for his citizenship, which is currently preventing him from playing in La Liga. Messi is viewed by many as the brightest talent to emerge from South America in a generation, and has received many comparisons with that other Argentine great Maradona, and it seems Barcelona feel the same, recently tying the young star to the club until 2014.

But as long as he is classed as a foreigner he is unable to show these abilities and that he admits is frustrating, speaking at the Fifpro awards on Monday evening, Messi stated:

"I hope the situation will be unblocked soon."

"I don't know how much longer it will take.

"It's strange being able to play in the Champions League and not in La Liga.

"I'm comfortable with the contract extension and I'm really happy. In Barcelona I want to do great things."

There were rumours of a switch to Italian Giants Juventus, who’s coach Fabio Capello, had said of Messi that he was the best young player he had ever seen, but Messi, while admitting being flattered dismissed this out of hand:

"I'm flattered by the words from Inter."

"Juve are like Barcelona, the best. But I want to stay for a long time where I am.
"For me Barcelona are the best solution and a dream come true."

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