Messi is still upset ahead of Copa del Rey Final

CAIRO - 25 May 2019: Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has stressed his commitment to continue with the Spanish team, noting that his exit from the semi-final of the Champions League is still very frustrating after losing to Liverpool 4-0 in the second leg.

Barca were stunned at Anfield just over two weeks ago as they squandered a 3-0 lead from their semi-final first leg and were beaten 4-0 by Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Messi and his team are preparing to face Valencia on Saturday in Copa del Rey final, hosted by the Pinto Villamarin stadium in Seville.

The Argentinean legend defended on Friday his coach, Ernesto Valverde, as the Spanish coach received many critics after being eliminated from the Champions League two times a row with the same scenario. Messi's statements were in the press conference prior to Valencia's match.

‘I would like Valverde to continue next year, we won a double last year and we can repeat that this year,’ Messi said on Friday.

‘If I am honest with you, I didn’t really see the criticism of the manager. ‘To be honest, I think he has done a very good job. ‘He was not to blame for the elimination against Liverpool. We are the only ones responsible for what happened. ‘We knew that what happened last year couldn’t happen again. It can happen to you once, but not twice in a row. It is not acceptable what happened. He will be partly to blame, but we are more so.