Friday, May 27, 2011

Messi relaxed ahead of showdown

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is "relaxed" ahead of the Champions League Final and admits he wants to stay with Barcelona for the rest of his career.



Already regarded as an all-time great by many, 23-year-old Messi, whose side face Manchester United on Saturday, said: "It's a privilege. It hasn't put any extra weight on my shoulders.



"I love seeing people enjoying themselves while watching me and my team-mates playing and to be able to win all these titles for them.



"I always take things easy - and I'm very relaxed about it because things have gone our way for a long time.



"My idea is to stay at Barcelona," he said. "It's true that in football you never know what is going to happen - one day you are here and two years later you are transferred [for example].



"But as far I'm concerned I would like to play for Barcelona forever."



When asked about Saturday's opponents United, Messi conceded that he does not follow English football too closely.



"Not really - to be honest with you I don't [watch] much football at all but I know that they are a very strong side and well deserved champions of a very difficult league," he stated. "That says it all.



"I'm not sure where their weaknesses are because they are a very strong side, very physical and extremely efficient in all their lines.



"I'm one of those players that doesn't look too much at the opposition and concentrates about what we need to do. This is a one-off game - but we have to think about us.



"We all know what we are capable of because of what we have showed during the whole season. We got to this final in good shape, the guys are up for it. We can't wait for the game to kick off and to probe ourselves once more [to see whether] we can win this again."



Barcelona beat United 2-0 in the 2009 Champions League in Rome, although Messi is unsure how different his side are now - if at all.



He commented: "It's always difficult to compare but what is true is that both teams [Barcelona in 2009 and Barcelona in 2011] showed some great football - and both always tried to play attractive football that people loved to watch.



"We always try to stick to our game and tried to develop our game every time we played - and we've always achieved big things. In 2009 we won the Champions League in a very impressive style and [after that] winning La Liga again and again.



"So I would like to think that some of us are just a bit more experienced this time round.



"We arrived to the final in top form and only a step away from making history once more."



Of United's individuals, Messi said England striker Wayne Rooney was a threat.



"He's a huge player, very skilful and very quick," he added. "He's scored many great goals and is a fully rounded player that can create danger at any time."



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