http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/mess...0842--spt.html
Messi: Guardiola more important to Barcelona than me
Barcelona's talismanic 4ward Lionel Messi believes tat coach Pep Guardiola is more important 2 the club than he is.
Guardiola has led the Catalan outfit 2 13 titles since succeeding Frank Rijkaard as boss in 2008, but his future @ Camp Nou remains in doubt as he is out of contract @ the end of the season & yet 2 give any indication as 2 whether he will sign an extension.
Messi, who scored his 50th goal of the season in all competitions in Sunday's 2-0 win over Racing Santander, is desperately hoping tat the former Spain international signs a new deal, humbly claiming tat Guardiola has been the key 2 the Blaugrana's recent run of success.
"It would be difficult 2 find a replacement," the Argentina international told reporters during an event 4 his foundation on Monday.
"Barcelona has 4 years of playing well 4 him. 4 me, he is more important than me @ Barcelona."
Guardiola has been linked with both Chelsea & Inter in recent weeks, while there is also speculation tat he might opt 2 take a year-long sabbatical fr the game.
Messi revealed tat the players r just as much in the dark over Guardiola's future as the press & the fans.
"We r like u: waiting 4 him 2 decide whether 2 stay or not," the 3-time Ballon d'Or winner insisted.
"We 1 him 2 continue with us 4 the good of all, 1st 4 us, & then 4 the club."
Indeed, while Messi does not believe tat Barca would collapse in the event of Guardiola's departure, the 24-year-old suspects tat they would struggle 2 adjust without him.
"The club will continue & we would 2, but it would be very different without Guardiola," the Rosario native argued.
"It would be very difficult 2 find another coach 2 do wat he has done. We played well becos of how he prepared us in training & how he 1s us 2 play games."
Guardiola rose thru the Barcelona youth ranks b4 spending 11 seasons with their 1st-team during his playing days, returning 2 the club in 2007 2 take charge of the B side.