The rise & fall of Málaga CF

Shameful! Pathetic City get pulverised by incisive Spurs

Fernandes is flying - but where does he fit under Amorim?

bet365 bonus code 365GOAL: Get Free Bet Credits for Football in November 2024

The Chiesa Conundrum: Should Liverpool let summer signing go?

Garnacho's new role & no Rashford: How Amorim's Utd should line up

Kane told it's 'beginning of the end' for England career

'Ancelotti and Real Madrid players didn't want Mbappe'

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Greenwood defends Shaw after Man City star has objects thrown at her

Kane smashes Haaland Bundesliga record after Bayern hat-trick

'People don't like it' - Wrexham director explains popularity dip

Ronaldo can't do it alone! Al-Nassr's title hopes take another blow

Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool

Arsenal

Chelsea

Other

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Barca currently top of La Liga table</li><li>Messi praises Flick's "spectacular" team</li><li>German responds to Argentine's words</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'He has his heart set on this club' - Hansi Flick drops hint over Lionel Messi's future as he responds to 'spectacular' Barcelona praise from Argentine icon

Champions League

Barcelona

Brest

<p>Messi has shared his thoughts on the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/hansi-flick-free-wheeling-barcelona-battered-bayern-munich-real-madrid-most-exciting-team-europe/blta3c46cc10976e06b" target="_blank">current Barcelona team</a> and made it clear he thinks Flick is doing a great job in Catalunya. He told 3cat: "I see it as spectacular, it doesn’t surprise me. It’s not something new. I think it’s spectacular that the boys have the opportunity to play. When they are given confidence, they respond because they know the club and are used to the club’s way of playing. If they are accompanied, these things happen as they did in other times."</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The German boss has guided Barcelona to top the of La Liga while trusting heavily in youth and the club's academy graduates. Teenagers Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi are regulars in the first team at the tender age of just 17, while Flick has also handed game time to La Masia stars Fermin Lopez, Marc Bernal and Marc Casado. The German boss was asked about Messi's praise ahead of his team's next game against Celta Vigo and says his words mean a lot to the whole club.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Flick told reporters: "It’s an honour to hear the best player in history say that he likes this Barca. He follows the team closely, he has his heart set on this club, that means a lot to the youngsters and to the team.”</p>

WHAT FLICK SAID

<p>Messi joined Barcelona at the age of 13 and went on to become arguably the club's greatest ever player, scoring 672 goals in 778 appearances, before making an emotional exit in 2021.</p>

DID YOU KNOW

<p>Messi is currently enjoying life in Miami <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/barcelona-lionel-messi-family-dream-returning-home-mls-playoff-inter-miami-rejecting-invite-anniversary-celebrations/blt643402e70ad5ad16#csf639a951d929a86a" target="_blank">but has openly admitted he "belongs to Barcelona"</a> and misses his former home. The Argentina has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-drops-huge-retirement-hint-inter-miami-superstar-admits-fears-football-career-coming-to-end/blt440a3f2a34b809c2" target="_blank">previously hinted that Inter Miami will be his last club</a> before he finally hangs up his boots but has long been tipped to enjoy some kind of role back at Barcelona once his playing days are over.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA & MESSI

'He has his heart set on this club' - Hansi Flick drops hint over Lionel Messi's future as he responds to 'spectacular' Barcelona praise from Argentine icon | Goal.com UK

Hansi Flick has responded to Lionel Messi after the Barcelona legend praised the German&apos;s &quot;spectacular&quot; team.

&apos;He has his heart set on this club&apos; - Hansi Flick drops hint over Lionel Messi&apos;s future as he responds to &apos;spectacular&apos; Barcelona praise from Argentine icon