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Lionel Messi: Barcelona star Gerard Pique lauds team-mate… but makes surprise claim
GERARD PIQUE has reserved special praise for Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, but insists the Argentine needs a “competitive team” to fulfil himself.
Lionel Messi has been talismanic for Barcelona over the years
Messi has been instrumental to Barcelona for over a decade, lifting 29 trophies in 14 seasons with the club.
The Catalan giants, who are top of La Liga, could win the treble this term, as they are still involved in the Champions League and Copa del Rey too.
Messi has been very prolific hitting 19 goals in Spain’s top flight this term.
And Pique has explained the importance of Messi having a strong support cast to help him achieve his aims.
“The key of the best generation of Barcelona is Leo. We just follow him,” Pique said.
We try to help him because he needs a competitive team to win titles
“If anyone has been very important to our winning all these titles, it's been Leo.
"We try to help him because he needs a competitive team to win titles."
Pique meanwhile, signed a new deal to keep him at the Nou Camp until 2022.
Discussing his contract extension, the defender said: “I'm very happy to have renewed my contract and I hope it will not be the last.
Gerard Pique after signing his new deal
"I'm not interested in playing for another team.
“I play football because I play for Barca."
Ernesto Valverde’s men face Valencia next on Thursday (8.30pm) in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.