It’s fair to say Tuesday wasn’t a good day for Barcelona.
First came news Ousmane Dembele has suffered a serious hamstring injury and could be out for the rest of the season. Quickly after that came reports Barca should be able to sign a replacement, as long as the Frenchman is confirmed out of action for a minimum of five months.
Next, Eric Abidal’s interview with Sport started to emerge. The Barcelona technical director appeared to take swipes in several directions, including at Xavi and players in the current squad.
When it came to speaking about Ernesto Valverde’s departure from the Camp Nou, Abidal suggested several players hadn’t been happy under the manager and hadn’t been giving their all.
Then came the big bomb.
Lionel Messi, clearly unhappy with Abidal’s comments, screenshot part of the interview and placed it on Instagram with his own comments.
“The players for what happens on the pitch, and we are also the first to acknowledge when we were not good. Those responsible for the area of sports management must also assume their responsibilities and above all take charge of the decisions they make.
“Finally, I think that when talking about players, we should give names because otherwise we are getting everyone dirty and feeding things that are said and are not true.”
Boom – the Spanish sport media went into meltdown.
Messi’s backlash is on the front pages today, and poor Quique Setién has had to take training with the circus in full swing.
Marca report he’s trying to lighten the mood, playing a game with the squad where they have to throw the ball to each other then say something (presumably funny) before throwing it to another player.
There was ‘laughter and good atmosphere’, but it’s pointed out Messi entered Barcelona’s training pitch with a ‘serious face’.
Gerard Pique is training alone in the gym, suggesting he could be an injury doubt for the match against Athletic Club Bilbao.
