The Spanish boss is positive that a six-time Ballon d’Or winner, Messi will see out the last years of his profession at Camp Nou MySportDab reports.
Quique Setien has expressed his trust that Lionel Messi and Barcelona “will always be united” while disregarding rumours of a potential move to Inter.
Messi continues to set unprecedented requirements of excellence at Camp Nou and has shown no sign of slowing down as he approaches the last stages of his career.
Messi has contributed 24 goals and sixteen assists to Barca’s cause in 31 outings throughout all competitions this season.
Assisting Barca return to the Liga summit whilst additionally reaching the final sixteen of the Champions League.
The Blaugrana have won 10 La Liga titles and 4 European Cups with Messi leading their charge.
He was awarded a record-breaking sixth Ballon d’Or in 2019 after another exceptional year.
The Argentina international has spent the last sixteen years at Camp Nou.
There is a clause in his current contract which permits him to depart at the end of any season should he choose to do so.
A range of off-field problems have overshadowed Barca’s present day campaign.
A public spat between Messi and sporting director Eric Abidal over Ernesto Valverde’s sacking in January marking the lowest point for the club.
It has been stated that a prized asset is geared up to call time on a historical spell in Catalunya.
However, Setien has rejected any notion of Messi moving onto pastures before he hangs up his boots.
The Barca boss informed Gazzetta dello Sport: “He will leave Barcelona for free? No, it might not happen.
Messi and Barcelona will always be united.
It’s just like that. Leo has been at Barca for 20 years and no one should explain a breakdown situation.”
Setien additionally weighed in on speculation linking Barca with Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz, a player he coached for a short spell whilst in charge of Real Betis.
“I was with him for a year and it used to be enough to see that he was a brilliant player, of an exceptional level, he had considerable potential and he showed it very quickly,” he added on Ruiz.
“He was relaxed with me because I put him in a football scenario that did him good.”
