Messi pleads with fans to "keep the faith"

A dejected Lionel Messi has appealed to all Culés to believe that Barça will return to winning ways next season. Despite demolishing Gimnàstic 5-1 on the final day of La Liga, a late comeback in the Bernabéu saw Real Madrid hold on to top spot and clinch the championship despite a vastly inferior goal difference.

"Madrid are the champions because they have done well, but also because we have allowed the title to escape," Messi said.

After the first 45 minutes on Sunday evening, Barça were on top as they had a healthy lead in Tarragona whilst a nervous Madrid were behind against Mallorca.

"It hurts all the more because at half-time we were the champions," he continued.

"Everyone is disappointed not to have achieved what we were aiming for.

"During the game we knew what was going on at the Bernabéu through the comments coming from the bench and the fans."

Having missed out on the title changes are predicted at Camp Nou, but Messi believes that the Barça squad still has what it takes to win trophies.

"We cannot stop having faith in this team," he added.

"Nobody should be analysing things too deeply so soon after the end of the season."