Messi won't find another club like Barcelona, says Iniesta

The midfielder believes his team-mate would be wrong to consider his future and hopes he stays in Catalonia for the rest of his career

Andres Iniesta says Lionel Messi would fail to find another club like Barcelona if he chose to leave Camp Nou this summer.

The Argentina star has cut a frustrated figure at times this season and produced several underwhelming displays as the Blaugrana's campaign has stuttered in recent weeks.

Reports have even suggested Messi could be tempted to seek a move elsewhere as a result of his unhappiness with his current contract, but Iniesta has warned his team-mate against making a hasty decision.

He told Sport: “The club will never have a player like Messi, but Messi will also never find a club like Barca. I therefore hope that he ends his career at Barca."

The reigning La Liga champions lost to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals before being beaten by Real Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey last week.

The club's quest to retain their league title is also now out of their hands, as they trail the two Madrid clubs in the table, but Iniesta says their footballing philosophy must remain the same.

Iniesta said: “Style is non-negotiable, but you can make changes. The league is very difficult because it does not depend on us, but it is not impossible.”