The Argentina skipper Lionel Messi has slammed Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal after claimed Barcelona’s players had not been happy with Ernesto Valverde after he was sacked at Camp Nou.
Barcelona sacked Valverde on January 13, and replaced him with the former Real Betis coach Quique Setien after two years and eight months in charge.
“I honestly don’t like doing these things but everyone has to be responsible for their job and take responsibility for their decisions,” Messi said.
“When things don’t go well on the pitch, the players are the first ones to recognise as much. Those in the sporting department at the club should also take responsibility for their actions and decisions.
“Finally, I think that when you speak about players, you should have to give names. If you don’t, you’re dirtying everyone’s name and encouraging things which are said which are not true.” Messi added.
Valverde left Barcelona through to the knockout phase of the Champions League as group winners and top of La Liga, which they have won for each of the last two years.
Currently, Barcelona surpasses the Real Madrid leader by three points in La Liga after a 2-1 win over Levante during the weekend.
Former Barcelona midfielder Andrea Iniesta had described their treatment of Valverde as “a bit ugly” and the situation as “unpleasant”.
On Tuesday, Abidal has said: “Many players were not satisfied or working a lot under Valverde and there was also an issue with internal communication.”
“The relationship between the coach and the dressing room was good, but there are things that an ex-player can smell. I told the club what I thought and we reached a decision.” Abidal added.
Abidal is a former star for Barcelona he and Messi played together at Barcelona between 2007 and 2013, with the French defender returning to the club after retirement to become sporting director in June 2018.
