Former Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has sent a strong message to the current Barcelona squad, urging them never to settle for second place in the ongoing La Liga title race.

Messi, who spent over two decades at the club, emphasized the importance of fighting for the top spot, particularly for a club of Barcelona’s stature.

Last season, Barcelona finished second in La Liga, losing out on the title to their fierce rivals, Real Madrid.

Despite their strong performance, they were unable to clinch the championship, and this left a sense of disappointment among the fans and players alike.

This season, however, Barcelona is sitting at the top of the La Liga standings, holding a four-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid.

Yet, Real Madrid still has a game in hand, meaning the race for the title remains close and intense.

In an interview with Mundodeportivo, Messi, who is now playing for Inter Miami, spoke about what it means to represent Barcelona.

He made it clear that the club’s players must always aim for the top, no matter the circumstances.

“You can never accept to be second if you’re wearing a Barça shirt,” Messi stated.

“This means you’re part of the biggest club in the world.”

Messi went on to stress that, even if the team doesn’t win, they must remain committed to competing until the very last match of the season.

“Even if you don’t win, at least you must compete for the title till the very end,” he said.