Lionel Messi is ‘happy’ at Barcelona, says former teammate Xavi

Argentina international and former Spain midfielder won four Champions Leagues together at Barca

Leo Messi attends a training session (EPA)

Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi has said that Lionel Messi is “happy” at the Nou Camp.

Xavi played alongside Messi at Barca, winning four Champions League titles with the Argentina international, and the 39-year-old – who is now managing Al Saad in Qatar – keeps in contact with his former teammate.

“Leo is happy,” Xavi said. “He is with his family, living in Barcelona, and he is very well established and deeply rooted in Catalan culture.

“In the end, I obviously believe that he can decide his future. He has earned it and deserves it, but I see him happy in Barca.

“I don’t see any symptoms of him leaving Barcelona. I talk to him sometimes and I see him happy.”

Xavi, who took over as manager of Al Saad this summer after playing for the club for four years, also spoke about his managerial influences, with many of his idols based in the Premier League.

“I am in love with Pep Guardiola’s football,” the Spaniard said of the Manchester City manager, under whom he played at Barca between 2008 and 2012.

“But there are also other ways to play football like [Jurgen] Klopp, [Mauricio] Pochettino, [Unai] Emery.

“Now I have started as a coach, I see the different methodologies. You can win playing football in different ways, but I like the one of City and Guardiola the most.”