Thursday 3 August 2017 22:35, UK
Lionel Messi has shied away from making major promises for the coming season but pledged to do his "best" under new Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde.
The Barca forward said he was not familiar with Valverde's style but believes his "good reputation" bodes well ahead of the new campaign.
"I say the exact same thing I say all the time," Messi said at the team's celebration of a new sponsorship deal with Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten at its Tokyo headquarters.
"Whenever I start a new season, there is a very clear-cut goal, which is Barcelona would do its best," said the Argentina international who recently extended his contract with the Catalan giants.
"Personally, I am very happy and looking forward to starting a new season," he said. "We would like to do our best.
"Everything will become new [under Valverde]. We are hearing a lot about his very good reputation," he said, adding that he held "hopes on the new beginning."
Team-mate Arda Turan was more enthusiastic about the coming season.
"It's important that we are going to win all the titles this year. We can do it," the Turkey international said.
They were joined by Neymar and Gerard Pique for the media event with Rakuten founder and chief executive officer Hiroshi Mikitani.
Rakuten's four-year sponsorship deal, worth €55m (£48m) a year, will last through June 2021, with the option of a one-year extension.
The e-commerce firm replaced Qatar Airways, Barcelona's shirt sponsor since 2013.
