Messi: I want to finish my career at Barcelona

By Joe Wright

Jan 9, 2014 1:51:00 AM

The Argentine insists he fully intends to stay with the club and admits he is eager to face Atletico Madrid after scoring twice on his return from injury against Getafe

Lionel Messi says he wants to finish his career at Barcelona after bursting back onto the goalscoring scene in his return from injury.

Messi scored twice in a 30-minute cameo as Barca won the first leg of their Copa del Rey clash with Getafe 4-0, with the Argentine making his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury in early November.

Speculation has surfaced that Paris Saint-Germain could be prepared to make a sensational offer for the 26-year-old - who was recently embroiled in a row with Barca director Javier Faus - but Messi insists he wants to stay at Camp Nou until he retires.

"My idea is to stay here and finish my career at Barcelona," he said after the match on Wednesday.

Barca take on Atletico Madrid in a crucial Liga encounter on Saturday and Messi admits he is eager to feature against the Rojiblancos.

"If I can play against Atletico, I will. I'll talk with Tata and the doctors. I always think of the club, I have the same desire as always," he continued.

"I was desperate to come back. I'd been sidelined for too long.

"I felt good physically, I didn't feel any pain in the hamstring. I was very happy to be in my country. I worked well to get out of this. Now I'm looking forward to a great year."

Messi also revealed his pride at being named among the final three nominees for the 2013 Ballon d'Or as he prepares for the event in Zurich on Monday January 13.

"I'll go to the gala, as always. It's a pleasure to be among the best three, the result will be what it will be," he added.

"For me, the most important prizes are those of the team, but I always like these [individual awards]." ----------- goal.com