Pique: Selling Messi not an option

The centre-back has made it clear he does not agree with Johan Cruyff that the Catalans should cash in on their star player

Gerard Pique has insisted selling Lionel Messi should not be an option for Barcelona as he feels the Argentine is still the best player in the world.

Barcelona icon Johan Cruyff recently stated the Catalans should consider cashing in on the prolific attacker now they have secured the services of Neymar, but Pique feels the Dutchman has got it wrong this time around.

"We always listen to what Johan has to say here at Barcelona because of everything he has done for the club as a player and a coach," Pique told Sport.

"He often brings something positive to the club, but in this case I think it's clear that Messi is untouchable.

"Messi is the best player in the world and he has brought so much to the club. It would be inconceivable that he would not be here.

"The team should be built around him as it's been in recent years. We all know how important he is and it would be foolish not to use him. It would not make any sense not to use the best player in the world."

The 26-year-old has scored over 200 Liga goals for Barcelona since making his first team debut in 2004-05.