Lionel Messi: 'Pep Guardiola is more important than me'

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi believes that Catalan boss Pep Guardiola is more important to the club than he is.

Guardiola's future at the Nou Camp remains in doubt with his contract expiring in the summer, and Messi has admitted that he is desperate to see the 41-year-old commit his future to the club.

"I would be difficult to find a replacement. Barcelona have had four years of playing well for him. For me, he is more important than I am at Barcelona," Messi told reporters.

Messi scored his 49th and 50th goals of the season in Barcelona's 2-0 win over Racing Santander on Sunday.