The Blaugrana boss acknowledges the Argentine icon is "the best player in the world", but he is no longer at Camp Nou
Ronald Koeman is looking for Barcelona to "close the book" on Lionel Messi with Ansu Fati and Phillipe Coutinho being set the challenge of filling iconic boots at Camp Nou.
After 17 memorable years of remarkable performances from Messi, the Blaugrana are bracing themselves to open a campaign without him at their disposal.
Financial issues in Catalunya prevented fresh terms from being put in place with Messi, allowing him to depart as a free agent and link up with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.