Messi wants Barcelona to be competitive and win trophies - Mendieta

According to

Gaizka Mendieta

,

Lionel Messi

’s decision on departing

or staying put is going to be revealed in the crucial upcoming weeks.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is reluctant on answering questions regarding his future and will decide when the season is over. However,

and

are interested in making offers if he chooses to leave in the summer.

Mendieta is confident the 33-year-old will remain with Barcelona if they compete for trophies.

"

Having been a player myself, I can tell you what we want. We want to be competitive and win trophies. I think that's what Messi wants,"

Mendieta told 

Goal

.

"Of course, the contract side and family circumstances are important. But just on the player, I think he wants to win trophies. If he sees Barca can win and compete for trophies, then he will certainly stay at Barcelona. If he doesn't see that happening, he will look somewhere else.

"I am hoping, like a lot of Barca and football fans in Spain, Messi will stay in Barca. I am sure other people would like to see him tested somewhere else in another league or club.

"But I am a romantic, especially in this day and age with players changing club so often, that he would have his whole career at that level in the same club. I think it would be amazing for him and Barca.

"He is not in decline, he might have had some dips, but decline is a big word for someone who has been at an amazing level for 15 years. We all agree that he is one of the greatest in football history, whether you support Barca or not.

"He achieved that by delivering in every game and training session. He has certainly had to change his style due to his age and new managers. He is not the Messi we saw a few years ago, but for me he is still the best.

"If you look at matches around the world, how many players can affect a game like him? There's not many."

The Blaugrana’s financial issues have stabilized and

Joan Laporta

has been spreading the hope of retaining Messi since he was appointed as the new president.

Ronald Koeman has kept his side competitive in grabbing the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao takes place this weekend.

"

They've been improving for a while now,"

Mendieta added.

"The Clasico was a good game and could have been better. Defensively, they could have done better. Against Valladolid, they didn't play well but won and got the points - but sometimes that's what you need to do.

"I think consistency has come after not being beaten in a while until the Clasico. The confidence is coming with Koeman, who has been playing certain young players and using what he has.

"Pedri had a good game in El Clasico the other day. He is playing a big role but I think he can learn and do more. Out of the three of them, Atletico Madrid is the one on a dip and I make either Real Madrid or Barca favourites to win La Liga.

"I think Barca is in a good position to be there and win the trophy."

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