Barca have given Valverde their backing despite their latest Champions League disappointment, with Xavi making his ambitions to coach at Camp Nou clear.
If one day I come back to Barcelona it s all a consequence of knowing that I will be judged, he added.
Everyone wants to be at a big team. It would be more comfortable to go to a second division club but I m competitive and I like big challenges.
I know what will come, I will go bald or my hair will turn white, but it is what it is.
Leo en 18/19
Top scorer (36)
Top in assists (13)
3rd Pichichi in a row (6th total)
Most chances created (92)
Most shots on goal (87)
Most passes on opponents half (1.587)
Most points won thanks to his goals (18)
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)
Messi made it clear the Champions League was Barca s top priority in 2018-19 but he was unable to add to the four European titles he has won at the club.
That s more than a few, we only had one before, Messi s former team-mate Xavi said. We were able to win more but it s hard to win the Champions League.
[Pep] Guardiola s Barca were better than the rest of the teams and we only won two of four. Chelsea and Inter knocked us out. But be calm, Messi s not finished yet.
We always talk about the post-Messi era, but Leo has three or four good years left. At the top level, like now, because he looks after himself, he s incredibly professional, he s physically strong, a beast mentally. He s the number one at everything.
