Pakistan says preemptive strikes thwarted planned militant attacks from Afghanistan    Egypt courts Indian green energy investment in talks with Ocior Energy    Egypt raises fuel prices, imposes one-year freeze amid cost pressures    Egypt, India hold first strategic dialogue to deepen ties    Egypt: Guardian of Heritage, Waiting for the World's Conscience    Egypt, Qatar sign MoU to boost cooperation in healthcare, food safety    EGX ends week mostly higher on Oct. 16    Egyptian Amateur Open golf tournament relaunches after 15-year hiatus    Egypt, UK, Palestine explore financing options for Gaza reconstruction ahead of Cairo conference    Egypt will never relinquish historical Nile water rights, PM says    Egypt explores cooperation with Chinese firms to advance robotic surgery    Fragile Gaza ceasefire tested as humanitarian crisis deepens    Avrio Gold to launch new jewellery, bullion factory in early 2026    AUC makes history as 1st global host of IMMAA 2025    CBE, China's National Financial Regulatory sign MoU to strengthen joint cooperation    Al Ismaelia launches award-winning 'TamaraHaus' in Downtown Cairo revival    Al-Sisi, Burhan discuss efforts to end Sudan war, address Nile Dam dispute in Cairo talks    Egypt's Cabinet hails Sharm El-Sheikh peace summit as turning point for Middle East peace    Gaza's fragile ceasefire tested as aid, reconstruction struggle to gain ground    Egypt's human rights committee reviews national strategy, UNHRC membership bid    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile actions, calls for global water cooperation    Egypt unearths one of largest New Kingdom Fortresses in North Sinai    Egypt unearths New Kingdom military fortress on Horus's Way in Sinai    Egypt Writes Calm Anew: How Cairo Engineered the Ceasefire in Gaza    Egypt's acting environment minister heads to Abu Dhabi for IUCN Global Nature Summit    Egyptian Open Amateur Golf Championship 2025 to see record participation    Cairo's Al-Fustat Hills Park nears completion as Middle East's largest green hub – PM    El-Sisi boosts teachers' pay, pushes for AI, digital learning overhaul in Egypt's schools    Syria releases preliminary results of first post-Assad parliament vote    Karnak's hidden origins: Study reveals Egypt's great temple rose from ancient Nile island    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Egypt reviews Nile water inflows as minister warns of impact of encroachments on Rosetta Branch    Egypt aims to reclaim global golf standing with new major tournaments: Omar Hisham    Egypt to host men's, juniors' and ladies' open golf championships in October    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







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Luis Enrique backs Messi to sign new deal and end career with Barcelona
Reuters Published in Ahram Online on 18 - 11 - 2016

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said he believes Lionel Messi will sign a new contract with the Spanish champions despite reports the five times World Player of the Year is stalling over a new deal.
Spanish daily Marca reported this week that the Argentine is in no hurry to pen a new deal, and will instead delay negotiations until right before his current contract expires in June 2018.
"Perhaps it's best if the interested parties respond to this question, but I cannot imagine Messi away from this club," Luis Enrique told a news conference on Friday ahead of Barca's La Liga game with Malaga.
Messi made his debut for Barcelona aged 17, four years after moving to Spain from his home city of Rosario.
The player has said many times he wishes to see out his career at boyhood club Newell's Old Boys, who he supports, but Luis Enrique hopes Barca's all-time top scorer remains at the Nou Camp until he retires.
"It would be wonderful if someone who came here when he was so young could finish his career at the club that gave him his opportunity. That would be the best thing for everyone," added the coach.
Messi was in scintillating form for Argentina on Tuesday, scoring a splendid free kick and providing two assists in a 3-0 win over Colombia as Edgardo Bauza's side bounced back from a humiliating 3-0 defeat to arch rivals Brazil.
"The Leo Messi question is beyond any debate, he is the best player of all time," added Luis Enrique.
The coach's own contract with Barca runs out at the end of the current season and he dodged a question about his own future. Asked if he imagined himself staying at Barca forever, Luis Enrique said: "I have suddenly lost my imagination."
Barca will be boosted by the return of defenders Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto, Jordi Alba and Jeremy Mathieu against Malaga on Saturday, although captain Andres Iniesta remains injured and Luis Suarez, joint top scorer in the league with Messi on eight goals, is suspended.
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