Barcelona vice-president Pau Vilanova is delighted Lionel Messi is staying.

Vilanova spoke of Messi's decision to withdraw his transfer demand and welcomed the prospect of the Argentine playing with Barca next season.

“We are very happy that Messi is with us and has joined this exciting project. You have to take his words into consideration and for this a remedy is put in place and that is why we are facing a new, refreshing and exciting project," explained the Barça director

Despite Leo's disappointment at not being able to leave, Vilanova believes the Argentine will soon be happy again.

"All of us in our professions have had doubts about our situation and later, on reflection, we have decided to continue or to leave and in this case he will continue and he will be excited."

Regarding the tension between Messi and president Josep Maria Bartomeu, Vilanova added: “We hope and wish that there is respect and alliance for the club to function. Obviously there are people from the club who are talking to him."