[ad_1]
Lionel Messi has scored 115 goals in the Champions League, only surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo (130)
Lionel Messi’s performances “could be better”, but the Barcelona captain is “happy”, says new manager Ronald Koeman.
Argentine forward Messi, 33, tried to leave the club this summer, calling the transfer saga “a brutal drama.”
He has scored once so far this season.
“I have no complaints or doubts about their effort,” said Koeman, whose team opens their Champions League campaign against Ferencvaros on Tuesday (start at 20:00 BST).
“Right now his performances could be better. On a day-to-day basis, he is happy and wants to play and be the team captain ”.
Messi is in the final year of his contract and will face Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo in Group G of this season’s Champions League, a competition he has not won since 2015.
Italian champions Juve will be a tough opposition and Koeman downplayed Barcelona’s chances of helping Messi to another victory this year.
“When you’re at Barcelona you always want to be there fighting for trophies, be it in La Liga or in Europe,” said the former Dutch coach.
“We are not the favorites, but we can go far.”
