Barcelona B coach Pimienta opens up on Messi's future

It would be a 'shame' if Leo leaves Barca, admits Garcia Pimienta.

Still, if the 33-year-old wants to leave, his decision has to be respected, insists the Barcelona B head coach.

“It would be a shame if he left because Barcelona will always be his home but if he wants to, we have to respect his decision,” Barcelona B head coach Garcia Pimienta has said in an interview with Cadena Ser.

“I don’t know if Messi will continue, I hope he will.

“I can’t imagine a Barca without him, he has done his entire career here, he has earned the right to decide what he wants to do, but I hope he ends his career with us.”

The 33-year-old won't renew his contract with the Catalans until the end of the season, he revealed in December. Leo wanted to quit Barca last summer but the club rejected his transfer request.

If the Argentine decides not to renew with the Blaugrana, there are Paris Saint-Germain and Man City who are said to be favourites to land him on a free transfer.