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Zinedine Zidane responds to Lionel Messi exit rumours

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane hopes that the allegedly unsettled Lionel Messi decides to remain at Barcelona.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is keen for Lionel Messi to remain at Barcelona amid the speculation surrounding the Argentina international's future.

Messi's existing deal at Camp Nou is due to expire next summer, and a recent report claimed that the 33-year-old is ready to leave the Spanish champions at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

The attacker is allegedly frustrated with the lack of quality in the Barca squad, while he is thought to be upset by suggestions that he played a key role in Ernesto Valverde leaving the club earlier this year.

Zidane, though, is hopeful that the South American will ultimately decide to remain at Camp Nou.

"I don't know what will happen but we hope not because he is in this league and we want the best in this league," Zidane told reporters after Thursday's 1-0 win over Getafe.

Madrid are currently four points clear of second-placed Barca at the top of La Liga and will have the chance to stretch their lead to seven when they travel to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday afternoon.

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Barcelona captain Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his 700th goal in their match against Atletico Madrid on June 30, 2020
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona55001741315
2Atletico MadridAtletico532092711
3Real Madrid532092711
4Villarreal5320118311
5AlavesAlaves631297210
6Athletic Bilbao631286210
7Celta Vigo5302131039
8Real BetisBetis52215418
9Mallorca62224408
10Rayo Vallecano52127617
11GironaGirona52128807
12Espanyol52125507
13Osasuna5212610-47
14Sevilla612358-35
15Leganes612337-45
16Real Sociedad611437-44
17Real ValladolidValladolid5113213-114
18Getafe503224-23
19Las PalmasLas Palmas5023610-42
20Valencia5014310-71


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