Lionel Messi is pushing Barcelona to extend coach Pep Guardiola's contract, saying he couldn't imagine the club without him.
Messi has flourished under Guardiola, winning two world player of the year awards and scoring more than 120 goals since Guardiola replaced Frank Rijkaard to start the 2008-09 season. Barcelona has won eight major trophies in Guardiola's two full seasons.
"The truth is, after everything he's created and how he's rallied the team around him, it's difficult to imagine. A Barcelona without him wouldn't be like it is," Messi said on Thursday. "(I hope) he renews (his deal) when he can, and stays."
The 39-year-old Guardiola's contract runs to the end of this season. He has said he would prefer to keep to one-year deals so that motivation never becomes an issue.
Barcelona leads Real Madrid by two points as it vies for a third straight Spanish title, and Messi believes Guardiola is one of the keys to further success.
"He's on top of us with all of the details - not only with me but with the whole squad," Messi said. "He's always looking for the best positioning for me near the midfielders so that I can have as much contact with the ball as I can in play."
Messi scored his eighth hat trick in a 5-0 win over Real Betis on Wednesday to take his season tally to 31 overall.
Messi said this week's Ballon d'Or triumph ahead of Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez hadn't affected the three teammates' relations.
"We know the relationship we have and how we get on. Everything's going to stay the same," the Argentina international said. "I'm good with Andres, I'm good with Xavi. My relationship with both is very good and these awards are prizes for everyone - a trophy for the team."
Messi's keys to success?
"The most important thing is to be a good person to your teammates and to people, to enjoy football - which is such a nice sport, and to be responsible," he said.
