Messi Delighted Eto'o Is Staying

Lionel Messi was delighted to hear that Samuel Eto'o would be staying at Barcelona and managed to see highlights of Barça's win in midweek when the striker was cheered by fans in Camp Nou.

After being jeered at the end of last season the Cameroonian striker turned the situation around with an impressive display against Wisla and his Argentinian team-mate is delighted.

Before Pep Guardiola announced that Eto'o would certainly be staying, Messi told reporters that he did not want the free-scoring forward to leave the club.

"My message to him is that Samu you are great. I saw the goals he scored and I am very pleased that the people applauded him," he said from the Olympic Games.

"I had reports about the game from my father in Argentina and then from my team-mates by text. I did eventually see the goals on television in the hotel and it appeared that we played very well.

"He is a striker that guarantees you goals every season and he showed that before he joined Barça too. We need a main striker who can do that and the fact that he is our means we do not have to look elsewhere.

"He should forget about the past and not worry about what happened, but he has to ensure they do not happen again. I have never had any problems with Eto'o.

"With all squads you have some players that are better friends with some than others, but what is in important is what happens when you play together."

Messi is enjoying himself in China with the Argentina squad at the Olympics and is pleased that he was allowed to go and play.

"It is impressive and a different tournament that you have to treat as a once in a lifetime experience. Things have happened like finding out that Kobe Bryant wants to meet you and that is incredible," he added.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com