Lionel Messi striving for sixth balon'dor along Barcelona trebles

The mercurial Argentine forward maintains that collective honours at Camp Nou mean extra to him than adding to his haul of individual prizesLionel Messi insists a sixth Ballon d’Or does no longer form part of his personal target list, with collective honours at Barcelona of more importance.

The mercurial Argentine remains locked in a fierce war with everlasting rival Cristiano Ronaldo for the right to be taken into consideration the nice participant on earth.
actual Madrid’s talismanic forward has got the better of that duel in latest years, claiming returned-to-lower back Ballons d’Or and four of the last five prizes.Messi is emerging as an early favored to reclaim that identify in 2018, with 26 goals to his name in all competitions this season , but the 30-year-vintage celeb maintains that his cognizance is locked on the gathering of crew titles.
He advised newshounds at a sponsor’s event: "i've already said my goal is not man or woman prizes but to get all the trophies available.
"hopefully, we can finish [the season] in the fine manner. I think we are at the proper track.
"happily, matters are going properly. i am happy with how things are going, even though there may be nevertheless a protracted way to go. it is the identical [goal] as every season: to try to win the entirety."
Ernesto Valverde is the man hoping to guide Barca to multiple honours this term, with the former Athletic Bilbao boss having succeeded Luis Enrique at Camp Nou.
Valverde endured a difficult start to his reign, with Neymar leaving for Paris Saint-Germain for €222 million in a turbulent transfer window, while the 2017-18 campaign began with a 5-1 mixture defeat to real Madrid within the Supercopa de Espana.
Barca have simplest misplaced as soon as in all competitions due to the fact that that tie, although, and Messi is thrilled with how things have long past beneath a new regime.
He delivered on Valverde’s impact: "It became clear from the begin. He said what he desired and we tailored. It wasn't very distinct to what we had been already doing.
"We have become robust defensively and we've got players of high fine further forward, who can win fits."
Messi is even content material with Valverde's rotation policy, insisting he accepts it's miles for the group's gain.
"it's a subject I live with usually and calmly," he stated.
"The instruct comes to a decision it. We talk approximately it and i haven't any problem with rotation, much like other team-associates."
Messi is likewise thrilled to have visible Barca
bolster their ranks in the course of the winter transfer window with deals for Philippe Coutinho and Yerry Mina, particularly in light of Javier Mascherano's flow to Hebei China Fortune.
"both Coutinho and Yerry ought to have come inside the summer however they were not able to," he stated.
"Masche is leaving and we have a centre-again to replace him and we're satisfied that's the case. we're happy they are with us."