Manager Ronald Koeman has responded to the remarks Lionel Messi made about his FC Barcelona future in a recent interview.
In comments that emerged on Monday, the 33-year-old told La Sexta that he feels content at the Camp Nou once again, just a few months after he attempted to leave the Blaugrana before the season got underway.
Messi announced his desire to help get Barcelona back where he believes they belong, comments welcomed by his manager, who says he knows just how much the Argentine cares about his boyhood club.
"I don't need to see the Messi interview to know just how hungry and motivated he still is," Koeman said, according to Goal.
"I see him with his teammates every day. It's tough for any player who has won as much as him to not win every match he plays.
"But the squad is very united, albeit unhappy with the results. Leo is integrated in the side and helping us to improve things."
Koeman spoke further about the current form Barcelona are in ahead of their league clash with Real Valladolid on Tuesday night.
"We have changed a lot of things. With younger players come a bit of irregularity. For the future it is a good thing, but at Barca we have to win titles," he continued.
"It is a complicated situation we are in and time is needed, but we are Barcelona and we want to win.
"We will need to have maximum concentration against Valladolid. Every game we do not win is a step backwards for us.
"There are many games ahead in which many things can happen. We have lost a few away games and cannot fail again. There is pressure on the team to close the gap."
