It was quite rare to see Lionel Messi responded to literally anything, but he showed why he is the captain for Barcelona after he disagreed with the criticism from Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal.
Abidal, a former team mate of Messi, made a surprise comment saying that many Barcelona players in the squad were not working hard under former coach Ernesto Valverde, who was sacked despite being top of La Liga as he was replaced by Quique Setien later.
“Many players weren’t satisfied or working hard and there was also an internal communication problem,” said Abidal to Diario Sport.
“The relationship between the coach and the dressing room has always been good but there are things as an ex-player that I could smell. I told the club what I thought and we reached a decision (on Valverde).”
Lionel Messi hits out at Barcelona's Sporting Director and former team-mate Eric Abidal 👀 pic.twitter.com/8FCBU48YE5
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 4, 2020
Messi, however, responded the comment in an Instagram post, circling an image of the sporting director’s quote.
“Sincerely, I don’t like to do these things but I think that people have to be responsible for their jobs and own their decisions,” Messi wrote.
“The players (are responsible) for what happens on the pitch and we are the first to admit when we haven’t been good. The heads of the sports department have to take their responsibilities too and above all own the decisions they make.
“Finally I think that when you talk about players, you have to give names because if not, it makes everyone dirty and gives air to things that are said which are not true.”