Lionel Messi says Barcelona will “do everything possible” to win the Champions League for the first time since 2015.
Arch-rivals Real Madrid have won the trophy in each of the three years since, an unprecedented streak that has rankled at the Nou Camp even though the Catalans won La Liga in two of those three seasons.
“This year I think we have a squad that allows us to dream. The new players are going to help us be better than before,” Messi said.
“Last season was very good because we won the cup and La Liga but the Champions League sticks in our throat, especially given the way we were eliminated,” he added, referring to Barcelona’s 3-0 defeat in the second leg of the quarter-final against Roma, having won 4-1 at home.
“We promise you this year we’re going to do everything possible so that this beautiful and much sought after cup comes back to the Camp Nou again.
Messi, who has won the Champions League four times, is the newly-installed club captain at Barcelona, after legend Andres Iniesta left for Japan following the end of last season.
“We’re going to miss the great Andres a lot this year,” said Messi.
“It’s a great honour to be the captain and I know what that means at this club. I was lucky to have great examples like (Carles) Puyol, Xavi and Andres (Iniesta).”
Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday after defeating Sevilla 2-1, and begin the defence of their La Liga title on Sunday, at home to Deportivo Alaves.
