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Barcelona boss responds to ‘Lionel Messi should be sold’ comments

By Ernesto Hernandez

Barcelona's Ronald Koeman (C) shakes hands with Lionel Messi. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona's Ronald Koeman (C) shakes hands with Lionel Messi. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Interim Barcelona president said he would have sold the Argentine superstar.

The fallout from the comments made by Carles Tusquets continued as Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman was asked about it during his press conference ahead of their league match against Cadiz.

The interim president admitted had it been up to him, he would have sold Lionel Messi not just for the prospect of a high transfer fee but the savings his departure would have represented.

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"“The comments from outside do not interest me, but if they come from within the club they do not help us have the peace of mind to win the games, We cannot control the outsiders, but the insiders are different.” Koeman said.Source: Mundo Deportivo"

The Dutch manager went on to say that if there is anyone allowed to decide their own future, it’s Messi.

Koeman believes the club need to do all they can to keep hold of Messi and that comments like the ones from Tusquets do not help anyone.

Barcelona’s financial situation, left over by Josep Maria Bartomeu his board, are well-documented. It hindered their plans leading up to the season and will do so during the winter transfer window.

But it appears that Koeman is not the only one who found Tusquets comments unfortunate. Apparently, others within the club did not appreciate his comments and feel he’s been speaking too much since taking over.

Messi’s contract is set to end in 2021. Come January, other teams will be free to talk to Messi about a possible move. His future at Barcelona is up in the air and he’s not made it a secret he is tired of being blamed for all the ills that plague the club.

Next. Barcelona set to begin contract talks with Ousmane Dembele. dark

With presidential elections more than a month away, talks surrounding Messi are likely to continue. If they do, it might not matter who becomes president. By that time he might have made up his mind regarding his future, if he hasn’t done so already.

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