27.5 C
Accra
Monday, February 10, 2025
SportsKoeman also wants Leo back to Barca 'where he needs to be'

Date:

Koeman also wants Leo back to Barca ‘where he needs to be’

Lionel Messi’s potential return to Barcelona has been welcomed by Ronald Koeman, who also thinks the Argentina great is still the best player in the world.

Before Messi made an emotional departure on a free transfer to French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain, the former Barcelona manager was in charge during Messi’s final season with the Catalan club.

Barca sacked the Dutchman in October 2021 after a poor run of form with the 60-year-old now returning to manage the Netherlands national team following the retirement of Louis van Gaal after the World Cup in Qatar. 

Koeman himself will not be returning to Barcelona any time soon, but he still holds out hopes that Messi will make a romantic return to the club, amid speculation such a move is in the works.

“Messi is the best player in the world and when he left it was difficult,” he said at the Koeman Cup, a charity golf and paddle event. 

“The team that has him is going to be stronger. His departure from Barca was a very bad day.

“If I see Leo with another shirt it hurts me. It’s his home, where he needs to be. It was not good that the board did not give him the possibility to stay, but I am in favour of Messi being a Barca player.”

Since his sacking, Koeman’s successor Xavi has led Barcelona on an inspired league run this season with the side 13 points clear at the top of LaLiga with just 10 games remaining.

“With Xavi they have improved and will surely win the league,” Koeman said of the head coach. 

“It’s a much-improved squad. A coach is good or bad depending on his players. For me, we have to celebrate this league in a big way because we are talking about several previous seasons that Barca has not won anything. 

“Barca are there for their own quality and for their defence. It should be noted that they have only conceded nine goals. It is deserved and if the others have not been at this level, it is their problem.”

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

12 containers of fake US dollars, suspected gold bars intercepted by National Security

National Security operatives have seized a major consignment of...

Piina SHS headmaster interdicted over suspected food smuggling

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has suspended Adams Mahama...

Swedru Hospital staff attacked by okada riders

A violent incident unfolded at the Swedru Hospital after...

Mahama is leading the charge to ensure Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso return to ECOWAS – Foreign Minister

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has reaffirmed Ghana’s...

Ghana has no record labels – Kwabena Kwabena

Highlife musician Kwabena Kwabena has dismissed the existence of...

Brilliant UCC student unable to sit for 5 years due to rare bone disease

A rare genetic condition has left 19-year-old Enock Eshun,...

Ebony Reigns’ grave site visited by family to pay tribute after 7 years

Ebony Reigns' family has once again honored her memory...

Related stories

Sports Minister lists 5 reasons behind GPL’s ‘sorry’ state

Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has identified...

Arne Slot wish Virgil van Dijk would stay at Liverpool ‘for a long time’

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has expressed his desire...

‘From what I hear, nobody is happy with referees’ – Ancelotti to LaLiga prez

Carlo Ancelotti has responded to LaLiga president Javier Tebas'...

Man City lists ‘injured’ Rodri in Champions League squad

Manchester City have updated their Champions League squad for...

Man City tops chart as club that spent the most in January transfer window – FIFA data

Global transfers during the January window exceeded $2 billion...