Barca's Hopes For Messi To Survive Are Now In Young Players

Lionel Messi (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

JAKARTA - Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman hopes that the "growing" Barcelona youth team can convince Lionel Messi to survive next season.

The Blaugrana crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16 after drawing 1-1 against PSG on Thursday, losing 2-5 on aggregate.

This is likely to be Messi's last match in the Champions League with Barcelona. The Argentine player's contract will expire at the end of this season.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Koeman hoped the potential shown by the Barcelona players could keep Messi from staying at the Camp Nou.

"Leo has seen that this team is improving with the changes we have made," said Koeman.

"(There are) many young players with quality and a big future coming, so it's not a problem to doubt this team."

Although Messi remains the fulcrum of the team, the emergence of many talented young players has given Barcelona hope for the future.

The likes of Ronald Araujo, Sergino Dest, Riqui Puig, Pedri, Francisco Trincao, Oscar Mingueza, Ilaix Moriba and Ansu Fati have had an impact on the club this season. The players are 22 years of age or younger.

As is known, Messi expressed his desire to leave Barcelona last summer before deciding to cancel his intention.

Joan Laporta was re-elected as Blaugrana president on Monday after Josep Bartomeu previously resigned from the position.

Laporta himself has made it clear that his first priority as president is to keep the six-time Ballon d'Or winner at the club.

Barca have shown an improvement in their game lately and Messi was seen voting in the club's recent presidential election, which was seen as a sign he would extend his contract.