Midfielder Frenkie de Jong said today that he is hopeful that his teammate Lionel Messi will stay at FC Barcelona next season.
“I feel that he is happy at Barcelona. I really hope he stays because that helps us. He is still by far the best player, ”De Jong said in an interview with Nu newspaper from Portugal, where he is concentrated with the Netherlands team.
Regarding his harmony with the Rosario player, the Dutchman said that he continues to see a reference in him. “If I can choose between playing with Messi or with any other player, I always choose Messi. It would be silly not to do it, he is the best of all ”.
De Jong said his current position at Barcelona, more offensive than in his time with Ajax, is due to coach Ronald Koeman.
“I discussed that with Koeman once. When he arrived, he told me: “They signed you for a lot of money and you are a good player. But you have to assume more responsibilities, be more decisive ”. It gave me responsibilities and confidence, that was good ”.
The Dutchman has scored seven goals and provided eight assists this season. “I don’t think he’s a fifteen-goal, fifteen-assist player, even though he plays as an attacking midfielder. But I can score more goals than now ”, he pointed out.
The Copa del Rey achieved a month and a half ago “is not enough” for Barcelona, although for De Jong “the season has not been all bad, especially when you see where we come from.”
On the other hand, the midfielder suggested that Georginio Wijnaldum and Memhis Depay, players he coincides with in the Netherlands team, are in talks with FC Barcelona to explore their possible signings.
It remains to be seen what they do. I don’t know how serious they are (the contacts between the footballers and the Catalan team). Or maybe yes, but I’m not going to say anything, ”De Jong said.
Wijnaldum and Depay end their contract this summer with their respective clubs, Liverpool and Olimpique de Lyon, and have been linked on several occasions with the Catalan team. EFE. (JL).