Former Barca captain Xavi feels FC Barcelona have not taken enough advantage of Lionel Messi

Currently, there are a lot of rumours spreading that Lionel Messi may leave FC Barcelona and join some other club. It is true that he is yet to commit to a new contract with the Blaugrana but it is still not yet time to spread rumours.

Messi has spent his entire professional career at Barcelona and has been a witness to all the glorious past and present. Despite winning everything in football with Barca some people feel that it could have been a lot more especially in the last few years. Former Barcelona legend, Xavi also has that school of thought as he feels that the Catalans have not taken advantage of him enough. He feels that given the player that Messi is, the Catalans could have bagged more titles in recent years.

While Messi is weighing up his options at the age of 33, his former teammate admits that the Argentine talisman has looked a bit sad this season. However, the Al Sadd head coach is hopeful that Messi will pledge his future with FC Barcelona and together they will again chase for more silverware in the coming years.

Xavi has told TV3: “You have to make sure that Leo is happy, because with a happy and content Leo you have a better chance to win titles.

“Many times he has given me the impression that Leo has not been happy on the field, that he has been sad and it makes me sad as a clue that we have not taken advantage of him enough in recent years.

“We had the best footballer in the world and in history and we haven’t taken advantage of him enough.”

The Argentine has been with the club since his childhood and has seen the ups and downs. He has had a glorious trophy cabinet as he has inspired the Catalans to bag 10 La Liga titles as they fight it out for another one this season. In terms of Copa Del Rey crowns, he has helped the club win seven times including the one from this season.

He has also helped Barcelona clinch four Champions League titles while they have won three Club World Cups. The illustrious journey at Camp Nou has also helped him win the prestigious Ballon d’Or six times.

While the team management, fans and even Xavi wants Messi to sign a new contract and stay at the club but now it solely depends on the 33-year-old to take a call.