Messi: “There is a lot left and we'll keep on trying until the end"

The FC Barcelona players believe that the fourth consecutive league title is still within reach despite tonight’s draw with Villareal. “The second half of the season just started and there are many points still in play,” said the three-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Despite tonight’s draw at El Madrigal against Villareal, Leo Messi is hopeful about Barça’s chances of winning La Liga: “there is still a lot left and we have to keep on going. All of the tournaments are important to us and we will try to win them all; the second part of the season just started, there are many points still in play.” The Argentinean didn’t attribute tonight’s draw to the team’s many absences: “the team is made up of whoever is here and we’ll keep on moving forward until the end.” In regards to tonight’s match, the striker explained that “at times it was difficult for us to play our game, we especially weren’t on target. We needed a touch of luck.”

Cesc Fàbregas said, “the ball didn’t want to go in, despite having control of the game in every moment.” The midfielder also called for unity: “we must be more united than ever, we must believe that a comeback is possible. We have to keep on working.”

Leadership from the captain

Carles Puyol’s response was passionate and charismatic: “the team will react; we’ll do more, whatever we must to win. There are no excuses, the players are used to playing every three days and La Liga is not lost. We will not give up.”

Dani Alves echoed his captain: “we don’t give up on anything here, we’ll fight until the end, always until the end.” The defender, who played farther up the pitch tonight, admitted that “seven points is a significant disadvantage,” but he was clear that “we’ve achieved much more difficult things and we must keep on trying.” The Brazilian believes that FC Barcelona is especially having difficulties away from the Camp Nou: “away from home it’s a challenge for us to find equilibrium.”

Here are some of the statements made by the players after the match:

Valdés: “we had chances up until the end, but Diego López had a sensational match. La Liga is not lost.”

Busquets: “there is no way we are going to give up on La Liga.” (via FCBarcelona.cat)