Audio By Carbonatix
New Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman says he does not know if he will have to "convince" Lionel Messi to stay at the club.
Koeman, 57, has signed a two-year deal with Barca, two days after the club sacked Quique Setien.
Messi's future at the Nou Camp is uncertain after they failed to win a trophy last season for the first time since 2007-08.
"He's still got a contract and is still a Barcelona player," said Koeman.
"At this point I need to speak to him because he is the captain.
"We need to work with him and speak with various players. We need to make some decisions but in Messi's case I hope he stays with us.
"I don't know if I have to convince Messi [to stay], whether it's that or not. He is the best player in the world and the best player in the world you want in your team, you don't want him playing against you.
"As a coach I would love to work with Messi because he wins matches. If he's at the ability and level he has always shown I'd be more than happy for him to stay."
Koeman has left his role as Netherlands boss, with two years left on his contract, to take over at Barca.
He played for the Spanish giants between 1989 and 1995, helping them to four league titles and the European Cup.
The Catalans finished second in La Liga last season. The five-point gap to champions Real Madrid and the humiliating 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final last week culminated in the dismissal of Setien on Monday.
The club also announced Ramon Planes as the new technical director. He was the assistant to Eric Abidal, who left his role as sporting director on Tuesday.
"What we need to do is give a different image to what we gave against Bayern, that's not the Barca we or the fans want to see," said Koeman.
"You have to be very happy to wear the Barca shirt. You have to show that with commitment, professionalism, with everything you have inside. If we do that, the image will be totally different to what it was last week."
He added: "We're going to work very hard to build a strong team but we'll have to make changes because the image of the other day is not what we want. We'll have to work hard to recover our prestige.
"It's a big challenge and it won't be easy because Barca always demands the best of you, which is the way it should be.
"Barca are still the biggest club in the world. Now we have to work hard to make sure Barca get back to where they should be. There is enough quality in the team to demand the best results and to win trophies."
Latest Stories
-
NDC parliamentary leadership reshuffle secured 2024 election victory – Asiedua Nketiah
19 minutes -
Agbodza visits Adaklu-Helekpe mudslide victims, warns of more danger around mountain
23 minutes -
TTAG urge government’s urgent action on recruitment and postings
36 minutes -
World Vision Ghana brings joy to Wa West children with mass birthday celebration
51 minutes -
NAIMOS arrest one foreign national and 7 Ghanaians in anti-galamsey operation in Ashanti Region
52 minutes -
Health Ministry announces mop-up exercise for validation and posting of health professionals
52 minutes -
GoldBod wins community backing for responsible mining support program in Ashanti Region
52 minutes -
Xenophobic attack: Why announce evacuation without preparation? – Minority caucus questions gov’t
56 minutes -
Government failed Ghanaians in South Africa — Minority slams evacuation delay
1 hour -
Heavy downpour leaves Kaneshie, other parts of Accra flooded
1 hour -
Mahama’s STEM push aims to build curious, creative students – Haruna Iddrisu
1 hour -
Swimming stakeholders call for legitimate governance and constitutional elections in Ghana Swimming
2 hours -
Akatsi Police seize suspected cannabis consignment, driver escapes
2 hours -
EU investment in Ghana reaches $16bn – GIPC’s Boss
2 hours -
GPSCP II and TCDA partner to boost regulation and investment in tree crops sector
2 hours