BARCELONA — Lionel Messi criticized Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal on Tuesday for saying many in the squad were not working hard under former coach Ernesto Valverde. Abidal and president Josep Maria Bartomeu sacked Valverde in January, replacing the coach with Quique Setien. Abidal, a former team mate of Messi, explained why Valverde was sacked despite the team being top of La Liga in an interview in Spanish newspaper Diario Sport. “Many players weren’t satisfied or working hard and there was also an internal communication problem,” said Abidal. In his interview with Diario Sport, Abidal also said he thought Messi was happy at the club and a new contract for the Argentine talisman was currently being negotiated.

Source: National Post February 04, 2020 20:26 UTC