A media war has broken out between Barcelona and PSG in recent weeks over Lionel Messi, who is said to be considering a move to France, and
Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino attempted to calm the storm between his club and Barcelona over the future of the Argentine.
Barca have been irked in recent weeks by remarks from their upcoming Champions League rivals regarding their star, who could leave for Parc des Princes at the end of the season with PSG director Leonardo and Messi’s Argentina teammate Angel Di Maria having both spoken out about the possibility, to the frustration of the Catalans.
Messi has been maintaining his vigil of silence on his future plans, apart from his recent disclosure that he had not spoken to anyone at PSG.
Pochettino insists that it is not PSG’s intention to disrespect their last-16 opponents just weeks before the clash begins.
“Messi? We respect our rivals and other clubs,” the former Tottenham boss told reporters on Saturday when asked about the conflict.
“We respect Barca. And right now we are focused on Ligue 1.
“The game against Barca is not for 10 days. Before that we have the derby with Marseille and then there is the Coupe de France.”
Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta and coach Ronald Koeman have been most critical of how PSG have conducted themselves in their courting of Messi, who has spent his entire professional career at Camp Nou since joining as a teenager from hometown club Newell’s Old Boys.
“For me, it’s a lack of respect,” Koeman told reporters in referring to Angel Di Maria, who said there was a “good chance” of Messi moving to France.
“It’s not respectful to speak so much about a player that is still a Barça player.
“It’s not good. It’s a mistake to say something like that, it could add further spice to the Champions League game. It’s not fair. It’s not respectful towards Barça to talk about one of our players like that.”
For his part, Laporta fired to L’Equipe: “[PSG] have a lot to learn.
“We didn’t like PSG’s behaviour at all. They have disrespected Barca.”
The two clubs meet in the last-16 first leg on February 16 at Camp Nou, with the return scheduled for March 10.