Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman rallied behind Lionel Messi after the Argentine delivered a classic efficiency in Sunday’s 2-1 residence win over Athletic Bilbao, hours after full particulars of Messi’s profitable contract had been printed within the Spanish media.
Messi scored his 650th purpose for the Catalans with a luxurious free kick to place Barca in entrance in opposition to Athletic whereas Antoine Griezmann struck the winner after Jordi Alba had scored an personal purpose to drag the guests stage.
Death. Taxes. Messi free-kick targets. 💫 pic.twitter.com/uVnSMXo1bJ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 31, 2021
The day had begun with newspaper El Mundo revealing the whole quantity Barca had spent on Messi’s final contract with the membership, additionally declaring the price of the deal had “ruined” Barca by inflicting their present monetary disaster.
“I don’t understand how anyone could link Messi to Barca’s ruin. He has spent years proving his quality and doing great things for this club, helping it win many important trophies,” Koeman informed a information convention.
“Whoever printed this had dangerous intentions and wished to trigger Barca harm. But we’ve to be united and targeted, we’ve to overlook about no matter has been printed. Without Leo, we couldn’t aspire to win very a lot.
“We have known for a very long time that he is the best player in the world, he has done so much for this club and is decisive. We have to respect everything Messi has done.”
Lionel Messi is reportedly incomes €265-a-minute at Barcelona 🤑 pic.twitter.com/EYdpaQeAGY
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 31, 2021
Barca have threatened to sue El Mundo for publishing confidential info and mentioned they weren’t answerable for leaking the contract to the newspaper, though Koeman mentioned the membership wanted to unravel the problem.
“If this was someone from the club they cannot have a future here,” he added.
Also on Sunday, La Liga President Javier Tebas described the publication of the contract as sensationalist journalism, including that Barca had been experiencing monetary issues because of the coronavirus pandemic and never due to Messi’s contract.
