Glory Wanted Next Season

No question about it, Lionel Messi wants to be more successful than last season, to do this he must target domestic and international glory next summer.

In the 2008 season he played a major role in the clubs success with a fantastic strike and assist rate, if he continues to build on this, he is sure to be crowned the worlds best player.

Asked what two sporting wishes he had to celebrate his 22nd birthday today, Messi told El Mundo Deportivo: “There are two: On one hand, I want Barca to give more joy to their fans, with more titles. And on the other, that in 2010 Argentina win the World Cup which everyone is yearning for.”

Messi was realistic about the chances of Barca repeating their success from this season, though, saying: “We can dream of winning another treble, but it will be difficult.”

Messi also reiterated his hope to play alongside his Argentina captain Javier Mascherano at Barca next season.

Liverpool midfielder Mascherano is one of the players Barca are being linked with this summer and Messi would love to have the 25-year-old as a team-mate at both international and club level.

“Of course, who wouldn’t like to share a team with great players like Javier. I hope he comes,” said Messi, who insisted he is not concerned about Barca’s lack of activity in the transfer market so far this summer.

“No, not in the slightest. We have a team that has won three titles. That makes us one of the best and right now nobody can deny that,” he added.