Normally quiet, especially on social media, Lionel Messi has used Instagram to hit out at Barcelona’s director of football, Eric Abidad.
Abidad had earlier suggested some Barca players were not working hard enough prior to Ernesto Valverde’s sacking.
Barca superstar Messi has reportedly been unhappy with how things are unfolding at Camp Nou. Abidad’s accusation made him even unhappier.
Although contracted until 2021, the Barcelona captain and six-time Ballon d’Or winner snapped back at Abidad for bad-mouthing players while discussing Ernesto Valverde’s exit.
His angry reaction comes amid discontent towards the board and Barca’s struggles on the pitch.
Angry reaction to Abidad
The reigning Spanish La Liga champions are normally tops in everything. Presently they are tops in nothing. Real Madrid lead them by three points in La Liga and Barca also trails its great rival in New Jersey sportsbook betting circles. Unibet, for instance, tip Real Madrid at -150 to win La Liga 2020. Barcelona at +110 are only their second favorites.
Barca are even worse off in Europe’s Champions league. Here the bookmakers have them in fourth place at +650 as opposed to Liverpool (+400), Man U (+425) and Bayern Munich (+650).
Barca is Spain’s reining La Liga champion. It’s worn the Spanish soccer crown 26 times. Its current situation of being second best is almost certainly a reflection of the unhappy state it is in right now. If Messi goes, it’ll make things even worse – and right now the rumours that he will soon are getting stronger
There are Clubs in China, the United States and the Middle East who would jump at the chance of signing him up if the Argentine soccer magician opts for change.
Following is a roundup of some of the soccer snippets that have recently appeared in the media.
Soccer news round-up
- Has Paul Pogba played his last game for Manchester United? The Red Devils fans seem think he has. The Mirror reports that Man U supporters are already resigned to losing Pogba at the end of the season. Real Madrid and his former club Juventus are both said to be interested in him despite him not having played since December. He has been out with an ongoing ankle problem.
- Staying with the Mirrow at Old Trafford we note that United will prioritise signing Aston Villa star Jack Grealish. They want him to replace fellow midfielder James Maddison who s near to closing a new deal with Leicester City.
- Atletico Madrid will consider Mauricio Pochettino as their next head coach if they move on from Diego Simeone, reports the Telegraph. Pochettino also continues to be linked with United, who are not faring well under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
- Standard Sport claims Chelsea are now set to sign-up Lyon striker Moussa Dembele at the end of the season. A previous approach to him in January failed but the talented Frenchman seems to have had a change of heart since then.
- Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes is being targeted by Arsenal, the Sun reports. Arsenal first enquired about the 22-year-old Brazilian’s availability last month.
- Milan snubbed the chance to sign Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic in January, says Calciomercato. Matic was out of contract at the season’s end, but is open to extending it with Man U.