HOPE SPRINGS FOR MESSI TO STAY AT BARCA: Hope springs eternal. There may yet be another twist in the Lionel Messi saga at Barcelona after the Argentine scored two and set up another on Monday night as he achieved yet another milestone by equalling Xavi’s club record of 767 appearances for the club. Messi looked set for the exit door last summer after a major falling-out with the Barca board. But with Joan LaPorta back as president, maybe the legendary forward will be persuaded to stay, having slapped in a transfer request last year at the club where he has been part of the set-up since he was a child. Manager Ronald Koeman hailed Messi as “the most important man in the history of this club”, appearing to open the door for the diminutive playmaker to extend his stay at Camp Nou. In the coming few months, one way or another, we will get an answer. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]
AP