Zinedine Zidane responds to Lionel Messi exit rumours

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is keen for Lionel Messi to remain at Barcelona amid the speculation surrounding the Argentina international's future.

Messi's existing deal at Camp Nou is due to expire next summer, and a recent report claimed that the 33-year-old is ready to leave the Spanish champions at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

The attacker is allegedly frustrated with the lack of quality in the Barca squad, while he is thought to be upset by suggestions that he played a key role in Ernesto Valverde leaving the club earlier this year.

Zidane, though, is hopeful that the South American will ultimately decide to remain at Camp Nou.

"I don't know what will happen but we hope not because he is in this league and we want the best in this league," Zidane told reporters after Thursday's 1-0 win over Getafe.

Madrid are currently four points clear of second-placed Barca at the top of La Liga and will have the chance to stretch their lead to seven when they travel to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday afternoon.