Juventus fullback Daniel Alves hopes Lionel Messi chooses to stay with Barcelona.

The Argentine is well inside the final 18 months of his current deal, with new contract negotiations dragging on for some months.

Former Barca teammate Alves, preparing for Wednesday's Champions League clash at the Nou Camp, believes it's crucial his old club tie Messi down.

"For the good of Barca and football, I think Messi and the others must stay," said Alves.

"But I prefer not to say anything, you saw what happened with me ... For me, each of these champions should have a statue at Camp Nou. It's not fair that when you do not serve, then you're fired like that. I hope, as a supporter, to enjoy these phenomena with the shirt of Barça for a long time."