Barcelona star Lionel Messi was the best player on the pitch against Valencia but it was the figure of a man standing on the sidelines who drew the most attention.
The Argentina striker scored four goals on Sunday to lead Barca to a 5-1 rout of Valencia to keep their faint hopes of retaining La Liga alive and after the game his immediate thoughts turned towards his manager Pep Guardiola.Guardiola's contract expires at the end of the season and so far the tactician has remained coy on his plans to pen an extension. The club are understandably keen on keeping the Spaniard at the club and this sentiment was echoed by Messi following their latest victory.
"The manager knows what we think, but he will make his decision at the appropriate time," Messi told the club's website."Obviously, we all want him to stay at Barca because, to us, he's very important."
Under Guardiola, Barca have won 13 titles since he moved up from B team coach to guide the first XI in 2008. One of the players who has shone the brightest during this period has been Messi as his four goal haul against Valencia showed."The truth is that I've been very calm," Messi said."My teammates, manager and the people that are important to me have confidence in me, and that makes me happy.
"It's important that the team has found its form again, like we did in Germany. We have to keep on playing like this, important games are coming up."
Barca trail La Liga leader Real Madrid by 10 points with 15 games to go.
