Messi loving life at fortress Camp Nou

Messi loving life at fortress Camp Nou

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi insisted he will "never leave this club" after the Argentinian put in another match-winning performance that helped his team overcome CD Numancia 4-1 in the Liga on Saturday evening.
Winning run

Messi regstered his 14th goal in 17 league appearances with a double strike against Barça's opening-day conquerors while further efforts from leading scorer Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry ensured Josep Guardiola's side maintained their 12-point lead over Real Madrid CF at the top of the standings. "We want to continue on this great run right up to the end but we know we'll need to take things step by step," Messi explained. "We want to win titles this season so we need to treat each game like a final but [the gap in points] also helps us to remain calm."
Fearsome trio

The 21-year-old has played a central role for the Azulgrana as they continue to set records for their points and goalscoring feats this season. Of the 63 goals the team has scored, Messi, Henry and Eto'o have been responsible for 45, a figure that in itself surpasses that of the league's second highest scorers, Club Atlético de Madrid. Even the club's coach Josep Guardiola was moved to offer praise for his team's undoubted star. "Since the Christmas break I've seen Lionel playing and training like never before," he said. "He knows he has a good home here and we'll always be here to help him in whatever way we can."
Club support

Messi appears to be unsettled by recent speculation surrounding his immediate future and offered assurances of where his heart lay as his team cruise towards its 19th league title. "The only way I'll leave here is if they throw me out," he insisted. "Barcelona is my home; this club has done so much for my family and there's no way to thank them for that."
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