In his first speech as Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi has set high expectations of the club this season and promised supporters that he will do everything in his power to bring the Champions League back to the Camp Nou.
Barcelona have not won the tournament since 2015, with rivals Real Madrid winning it every year since, adding insult to injury for the Catalans.
“We have a squad to get excited about this year and the signings we have made make us better than we were,” he said.
“Although last year was good with the Cup and LaLiga, we all hurt after our Champions League elimination.
“We promise to do everything possible so that beautiful cup will be back in this stadium.” Messi also discussed how he felt to be named captain this season, and he understands the pressure that is on him.
“For me it is a great source of pride to be the captain,” he said. “I know what it takes to be captain of this club and I was lucky to have great examples like [Carles] Puyol, Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta, who we are going to miss a lot this year.”
Messi led by example as Barcelona won their sixth successive Joan Gamper Trophy. The club’s new captain put on a blinding display as Ernesto Valverde’s men beat Boca Juniors 3-0 in the annual curtain-raiser.
New boy Malcom, who joined from Bordeaux this summer, broke the deadlock with his first ever goal at the Nou Camp.
The 21-year-old picked up the ball on the left flank, shook off the defender and slotted a strike past Esteban Andrada from a tight angle.
Messi produced a moment of magic in the 39th minute to double his side’s tally.
The Argentine ace charged into the box before sending a trademark chip over the head of the goalkeeper. Lionel Messi was named Man of the Match for his impressive performance.
The quality continued for Barcelona when Rafinha made it 3-0 in the 67th minute.
After a one-two with Luis Suarez, the 25-year-old Brazilian cleverly flicked the ball over the head of the goalkeeper.
Valverde’s men will now be brimming with confidence ahead of their La Liga opener against Alaves on Saturday.
Before the match, Messi took his chance to speak to the fans in the stadium. Keeping it short and sweet, he said: “It makes very proud to be captain.
“I know what this club represents and I have been fortunate to have great predecessors.”
Lionel Messi has been given captaincy following the departure of Andres Iniesta Arturo Vidal also made his Nou Camp bow following his move from Bayern Munich.
Messi has reportedly refused to honour a call-up for Argentina’s upcoming friendlies, with reports suggesting his international future is in doubt.
The Albiceleste crashed out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the round of 16 after losing 4-3 to eventual winners France. The 31-year-old has not commented on his international future since, and some journalists in Argentina have even claimed that he could even retire.
Messi has now reportedly refused a call-up from Argentina’s interim coach Lionel Scaloni for the team’s upcoming friendlies against Guatemala and Colombia in September, and will not play any game for the Albiceleste until the end of the year.
“It’s very personal, Leo must take his time to think about it,” Carlos Tevez said, as quoted by AFP.
“It’s understandable… even if he doesn’t come back. When the international side play, rightly or wrongly, we criticise him.
“It’s bad for the team and for him… I understand because I’ve been in that situation.”