This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is hoping that Lionel Messi will stay in Spain, despite the Argentine star's reported plans to leave Barcelona in 2021.
According to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, Messi's current contract expires next year and he has halted negotiations due to frustrations with the direction of the club.
Barcelona currently sits second in La Liga with five games left, four points behind Real Madrid, who edged past Getafe 1-0 on Thursday to put the title within their grasp.
When asked about the possibility of Messi leaving, Zidane said, 'I don't know what will happen but we hope not because he is in this league and we want the best in this league.'
Messi has had disagreements with the Barcelona board, including reacting publicly when sporting director Eric Abidal appeared to blame the players for the sacking of Ernesto Valverde in January.
Barcelona's presidential elections are due to be held in 2021, when current president Josep Maria Bartomeu will have to step aside.
Among those set to run against Bartomeu's successor is Victor Font, who wants to appoint Messi's former team-mate Xavi Hernandez as coach.
