FCBARCELONA.CAT

23.09.2009 14:34

Messi: "Nobody gives us anything"

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Lionel Messi defended the hard work and dedication that FC Barcelona have been displaying this season as they have made a 100 per cent start to the new league campaign and stated that nobody is doing them any favours.

With his five goals in just three appearances, Messi has stood out and he shone once again in El Sardinero against Racing Santander on Tuesday evening as he scored twice and set up another. To show how good he was the home crowd stood ad applauded him off the field when he was substituted midway through the second half.

No favours

With four wins from the first four matches, Messi wanted to ensure that there would be no critics doubting the strength of the team's opponents. "Barça are doing very well and playing great," he told a press conference after training on Wednesday. "We have to work hard in every match and nobody is giving us anything. From the start of each game we maintain our play right up until the end."

Goal happy

Messi is enjoying himself at club level once again and admitted that if he scores goals for the team then is makes him even happier. "I smile a lot more if I score," he continued. "It is a reason to be happy. But I feel confident and that is because I am fortunate enough to play alongside players that are outstanding and that allows me to be calm."

More of the same

After winning the treble last term and writing their own chapter of history with FC Barcelona the squad could well have relaxed, but Messi has assured that this is certainly not the case. "We want to continue to win things," he stated. "This team has a great mentality and personality."

No captains

Club president Joan Laporta was quoted as saying that he sees Lionel Messi as one of the leaders of the team, but the player himself was keen to play that down. "In this squad there are no leaders," he explained. "I feel just like any other player in a great team. We are very united and each one of us knows what we have to do on the pitch."