Barcelona striker Lionel Messi pointed that he and his teammates have expressed to Pep Guardiola about their keenness for the latter to sign a fresh deal with this club as coach.

Guardiola’s present contract would expire at this season end. He has not yet given any indication whether he would sign the extension.

Messi is optimistic the Barcelona boss would quickly commit his role for the future to this club because he enjoys the complete support of this Catalans squad.

The forward remarked, “He knows what we think and he will make the decision when he sees fit. We want him to continue. He means a lot to us and to this club.”

Messi scored four goals for his team as Barcelona won 5-1 against third-positioned Valencia in a game held on Sunday. This was the ace striker’s 200th appearance in La Liga for Barca, This was a perfect reply to those who were questioning his form lately.

He added “There is always a time of year it is said [that he's playing poorly]. [But] I have the confidence of my colleagues, of the coach and people of Barcelona – and that is what matters to me and makes me feel happy.”

He had his debut with this club during October 2004, and has scored 146 goals in La Liga till now for Barca.