Iniesta: My sole desire is for Messi to stay at Barcelona

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta says it is imperative Lionel Messi stays at Camp Nou if the club are continue to challenge for domestic and European honours.

The Argentina star - who marked his 300th Liga appearance with a hat-trick in Sunday's 5-0 win over Levante - revealed in an interview at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in January that he was unsure where he would play his football next season.


A disagreement with coach Luis Enrique added further fuel to rumours the 27-year-old could leave Camp Nou, with Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Chelsea reportedly keeping a close eye on the 27-year-old's situation.

However, Iniesta remains hopeful that Messi will stay put and help Barcelona to more silverware in the future.

"I hope and wish that Leo can be with Barca for a long time, because he has been, is and will be fundamental to us competing for honours. That's my sole desire," Iniesta told the official Fifa website.

While their latest win extended Barca's winning streak to 11 matches in all competitions, the last few months have been somewhat tumultuous for the Catalan giants.

With a court case ongoing with regards to alleged tax fraud surrounding the signing of Neymar and the club subject to a transfer ban until 2016 for broken rules in relation to the signing of youth players, Iniesta acknowledged it has been difficult to stay focused.

"Look, there's no denying that when there's so much talk on the outside and when it’s not about football or your play, it can affect things.

"You try, or at least should try, to ignore all of that because a lot of it isn't true. The sheer number of reports can annoy you. That said, we know we're at a club where a lot is asked of you, where everything is magnified tenfold.

"There are so many opinions and a lot of things can come from that. When things aren't going exactly to plan, then we have to deal with those kind of situations.

"The only way we can change that and make the public more settled is by playing well and winning.
"That way they forget a bit about all the stuff on the outside and focus instead on what their players are doing on the pitch."
Barcelona currently sit second in La Liga, trailing leaders Real Madrid by one point.