Posted by Andy Booth on 02/20/12

Lionel Messi spoke out after his astonishing performance against Valencia yesterday in a match which saw him net four goals and create the other.

When interviewed after the game, Messi's focus was on coach Pep Guardiola, a manager who prefers to sign annual contracts as opposed to long-term ones.

With speculation about Guardiola departing the Catalan club on a yearly basis, Messi was full of encouragement for his boss, "He knows what we think, and he’ll make his decision when he is ready."

Messi added, "We hope he stays, he is very important to us and to this club."

Barcelona's vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu was equally as calm about the situation, "He is an exceptional coach and he decides the timescales.

"We are at his disposition and when he wants he will speak to us.

"With him, there are no time limits. He is an exceptional person and we are counting on him."

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