FC Barcelona

Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso has said "you can't stop" Lionel Messi ahead of his side's home leg against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

The Italian outfit will welcome Barca to the Stadio San Paolo for the opening portion of their knockout fixture, and Gattuso told reporters: "You can't stop Messi, but in these moments my players have to try. We are playing against Barcelona, not only Messi. It doesn't make sense to have a player man mark Messi. We will try some things today and then we'll see."

Napoli have won six of their last seven games across all competitions and are hoping to surprise Barcelona at home before they're due to travel to the Camp Nou for the reverse leg on March 18. 

Gattuso—who earned 73 caps for Italy as a player—added Messi performs moves "you only see on the PlayStation":

"I read that we have to man-mark Messi, but it's not only him. Lorenzo [Insigne] has said that he's a great player, he's not only great at a footballing level. He is the greatest for how he has lived his career. He's an example for the kids to follow, never says anything inappropriate.

"He does stuff that you only see on the PlayStation, things you can't even imagine. He's been the best ever for years now."

Messi had failed to score in four league matches before Barcelona hosted Eibar on Sunday, but the forward was back to his best as he scored four times as part of a 5-0 rout:

📺 Sit back and enjoy the highlights from this incredible match at the Camp Nou! 🍿#BarçaEibar pic.twitter.com/aXTTh9yGXl

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 22, 2020

The 32-year-old leads La Liga in goals (18) and assists (12) and will be a crucial component if Quique Setien's side are to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals for a 13th consecutive season.

Gattuso compared Messi with 1986 FIFA World Cup winner Diego Maradona, adding: "Diego is the God of football, I'm not just saying that today. I never saw him closely, but I know the champion he was. In these moments, I see Messi do stuff that Maradona did. It makes me sad that I lost out on something that beautiful."

Barcelona confirmed their matchday squad for Tuesday's Champions League clash, which includes January signing Martin Braithwaite, despite the player not being registered to feature in the European competition:

[📋 THE SQUAD]
🗓 25/02 - 9pm CET
⚽ #NapoliBarça
🔵🔴 #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/GKAN7lTyJe

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 23, 2020

Napoli are one of only three teams to have defeated Premier League leaders Liverpool this season—Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa being the others—and will hope they can upset Barca on home soil also.

They moved up to sixth in Serie A after beating Brescia 2-1 away from home on Friday, capitalising upon AC Milan's 1-1 draw at Fiorentina in Week 25:

Eurosport's Siavoush Fallahi praised the Napoli chief for his recent turnaround in form, with the club having gone nine games without a win between late October and early December:

Gennaro Gattuso with six wins in seven matches but when I told people he worked wonders with Milan they laughed at me

— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) February 22, 2020

Milan legend Gattuso added he always has faith in his team and highlighted their habit of performing worse against lesser outfits, suggesting they could hit their stride at home to the Blaugrana:

"I have underestimated that there was something that wasn't going well. The goals conceded.

"I have already said it. We weren't a team defensively, we played without smelling the danger. The team have improved a lot on this aspect. We are all working together. I hear the journalist say something that we never hit the target at Brescia. The problems against the lesser teams have always been there."

The tactician is right to expect threats from all areas of Barcelona's squad, although Messi's involvement of four goals and six assists in his last four league appearances suggests he remains Barca's standout weapon.

Barcelona fans took aim at president Josep Maria Bartomeu ahead of the La Liga match against Eibar on Saturday, waving handkerchiefs and calling for his resignation.

Sports writer Sam Marsden shared footage of the scenes before the match:

Whistles and hanky waving at Camp Nou before the match... pic.twitter.com/di53mCyilb

— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) February 22, 2020

According to Jordi Gil of Sport, the chants continued during the match as well. The waving of handkerchiefs―known as a panolada in Spain―started in the North Stand but eventually spread around the stadium.

Bartomeu came under fire during the week after SER (h/t Gil) reported he hired a third-party company to improve his image at the cost of several players and club legends.

He has refuted the reports, but Lionel Messi expressed doubt over his denial, per sports writer Dermot Corrigan:

Messi not sure he believe's Bartomeu denial of club sponsored social media campaigns against him: "It's all very strange. Club say they have proof [they didnt do it]. But we'll have to wait and see if they are telling truth or not, about all this. It's all just so strange."

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) February 20, 2020

Gerard Pique also weighed in, per AS' Santi Gimenez. He responded to a journalist who defended Bartomeu, calling him a "puppet" on social media.

Per ESPN FC's Moises Llorens and Sam Marsden, Blaugrana legends Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol and Pep Guardiola were all the target of criticism via the third-party company. Presidential candidates Agusti Benedito and Victor Font were also targeted, and the former has stated he will take legal action if the allegations are proved true.  

On the pitch, the Catalans were in fine form once the ball started rolling on Saturday. Messi netted a first-half hat-trick against Eibar, including this stunner:

Messi nutmegged the defender before the chip 🤭

(via @beINSPORTSUSA) pic.twitter.com/QnxX90qCqW

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 22, 2020

Barcelona are on a three-match win streak in La Liga, trying to make it four against Eibar and close the gap to Real Madrid at the top of the standings. Los Blancos will be in action later on Saturday against Levante.

Barcelona manager Quique Setien said on Friday he thinks his team can challenge for the UEFA Champions League and explained the Catalan giants have a "lot of confidence" in new signing Martin Braithwaite.

Setien told reporters he is optimistic about Barca's European hopes despite captain Lionel Messi having said his team are "not at the level to fight for the title" in an interview with Mundo Deportivo (h/t ESPN):

"I have seen every year how Champions Leagues are won and I think we could have the same chance as other teams.

"It is true that there is no margin for error and there are things we have to try to improve and do better. We are not happy with everything but I think we are growing little by little and we are reaching levels that will allow us to challenge."

Barcelona play Serie A side Napoli in the last 16, with the first leg at the Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday. 

The Spanish champions have suffered painful defeats to Roma and Liverpool in the last two campaigns and face a team that have notched up some impressive wins this season:

Napoli have now beaten Serie A's top three teams this season, all in 2020:⠀
⠀
✓ 1-0 vs. Lazio (Coppa)⠀
✓ 2-1 vs. Juventus (Serie A)⠀
✓ 0-1 vs. Inter (Coppa)⠀
⠀
Reminder: they've also beaten Liverpool. 😳 pic.twitter.com/0AoVuwayMQ

— Squawka (@Squawka) February 12, 2020

Before then, the Catalan giants take on Eibar in La Liga at the Camp Nou. Setien has called up new signing Martin Braithwaite to his squad for the match after he completed an emergency transfer from Leganes.

Setien said the club have followed the 28-year-old for some time and is backing the Denmark international to succeed at the Camp Nou.

"Martin is a player we have been following for a long time. He has some characteristics that will help us a lot. He's a boy that fits the needs we have and we have a lot of confidence he will help us. Not only is he a good footballer but he has a good brain too. I'm sure in some games we will use him from the start, maybe it's a bit early now. He comes in decent form but there are some ideas we have to explain to him."

Barcelona have spent €18 million to bring in Braithwaite on a deal until June 2024. He is only eligible to play in La Liga for Barca in 2019-20, and his signing has attracted criticism.

Former Barcelona striker Julio Salinas has described the transfer as a "poor decision" and "pure madness," per EP (h/t AS). Rivaldo told Betfair (h/t Marca) that he does not "understand nor agree with [Braithwaite's] signing."

Braithwaite's career has taken him to teams including Esbjerg, Toulouse, Middlesbrough, Bordeaux and Leganes. He has scored 84 goals in 348 club games and said he was not completely surprised by Barca's interest:

How did @MartinBraith react when he heard that Barça wanted to sign him? pic.twitter.com/ybuQVynHd2

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 20, 2020

The Dane has plenty of work to do to win over his doubters at the Camp Nou, but his arrival will allow Setien room to rotate attackers Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Ansu Fati in the second half of the season.

Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal said he has learned from his public dispute with Lionel Messi earlier in February and will deal with any issues in-house from now on.

Messi hit back at Abidal on social media after he suggested the players did not put enough work in under Ernesto Valverde, who was sacked as manager in January:

Lionel Messi hits out at Barcelona's Sporting Director and former team-mate Eric Abidal 👀 pic.twitter.com/8FCBU48YE5

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 4, 2020

Per AS' Javier Miguel, Abidal said on Thursday: "I've learned a lot of things during the past few days. Internal issues have to be resolved internally and not through the media."

Abidal is a former team-mate of Messi's, but the Argentinian was evidently angry at his criticism of the players.

It seems he's still unhappy about the episode, based on an interview published in Mundo Deportivo on Thursday:

"It annoyed me that someone at the club would put the players in the middle of a sacking like that, it seemed crazy to me. It's him who takes decisions and has to take responsibility. That's why I spoke out. I couldn't allow the sporting director to attack me in that way."

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) February 20, 2020

The Frenchman spoke on Thursday at the unveiling of new striker Martin Braithwaite, whom Barcelona were allowed to recruit as an emergency signing after Ousmane Dembele was ruled out for six months after hamstring surgery earlier in February.

Barca are also without Luis Suarez after he had knee surgery in January.

Abidal defended the squad, per Marca's Alejandro Segura:

"You can talk about a small squad, but there are injured players. If Dembele wasn't injured, we wouldn't be here.

"We can't control [Carles] Alena because he wanted to be loaned out, just like other players, and always after speaking with the coach.

"I don't talk about the number of players; the important thing is their quality."

It is not the fault of the players, but the club's squad planning this season has left much to be desired.

Football author Colin Millar was among many to take issue with La Liga's decision to allow them to make an emergency signing, given their decisions during the January transfer window:

This entire episode comes about because Barcelona made a total mess of their squad planning, and willingly sold two young forwards - without replacements - less than three weeks ago. Now Leganes are punished. This is just wrong. So, so wrong.

— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) February 17, 2020

Suarez underwent surgery on January 12, so the club were not caught unawares by his absence late in the window.

However, rather than keep the options they had or bring in a replacement then, Barca banked on the fitness of Dembele, who had been out of action since November with a hamstring injury.

Given the Frenchman's injury record at the Camp Nou, it was a hefty gamble that he'd return and remain fit for the rest of the season:

Played: 74
Missed: 65—and counting

Ousmane Dembele has had it rough 🤕 pic.twitter.com/UN4rouiHvK

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 11, 2020

The club now have Braithwaite, whom Abidal is hopeful can be "decisive," to call upon.

He has eight goals and one assist to his name this season in 27 matches in all competitions.

The Dane had scored six of Leganes' 18 goals in La Liga. Leganes are 19th in the Spanish top flight, two points from safety.   

Eibar coach Jose Luis Mendilibar has complimented Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi on his efficiency, joking the "bastard rests in the game" ahead of the two teams' clash at the Camp Nou on Saturday. 

Barcelona are seeking their fourth consecutive league victory and can temporarily move two points in front of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga if they beat Eibar.

Mendilibar, 58, said during his pre-match press conference, per Marca: "I don't think [Messi] rests. This bastard rests in the game. He knows when he has to participate, when to rest. If he was given the day off he would have a worse time watching from the stands and get more tired."

The Eibar chief has lost all but three of his 22 meetings with Barcelona—Atletico Madrid are the only team he's faced more as a manager (24)—and his only win came during his tenure at Osasuna in February 2012.

Messi, 32, remains the top scorer in La Liga this season with 14 goals after 24 games, but the positive for Saturday's guests is he's netted only twice in his last nine top-flight appearances, per Goal:

❌❌❌❌

Lionel Messi is on his worst goalscoring form in La Liga for over six years.

The beginning of the end? 😮 pic.twitter.com/0UAvZFnoOd

— GOAL (@goal) February 16, 2020

Mendilibar—who managed Osasuna between February 2011 and September 2013—recalled an example of Messi's superhuman ability to affect any given game, even after recently suffering from illness:

"Once with Osasuna, we went to play a Copa del Rey game [at the Camp Nou].

"In the morning of the game [Messi] was ruled out because he had a problem with his stomach and had fever.

"After eating, he was called-up, he was on the bench, we were losing 2-0 and suddenly I see him warming up. He came on, scored two goals and we lost 4-0."

Despite his recent goal drought, Messi has remained influential in attack for Quique Setien's side of late, collecting six assists over the course of Barca's current three-game win streak in La Liga. The team would be seven points worse off in the standings without those contributions alone.

The Argentinian most recently set up Antoine Griezmann with a nutmeg assist during the 2-1 win over Getafe in Week 24:

1⃣ @samumtiti
└2⃣ Lionel Messi
└3⃣ @AntoGriezmann
└⚽️ GOAL

🔥 UNSTOPPABLE from @FCBarcelona! 🔥 #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/4pB63ClYVA

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 20, 2020

It's clear there's admiration in the comments made by Mendilibar, who has seen Messi score 13 times in nine meetings against his Eibar side since he was reappointed their coach in 2015 (eight losses, one draw).

Los Azulgranas have a game in hand over 18 of the 19 other teams in La Liga, though defeat in Catalonia could see them lose their three-point cushion above the relegation zone. 

The Basque outfit have conceded 16 goals in their four visits to Barcelona with Mendilibar at the helm, netting only four of their own in the process.

Barcelona announced the controversial emergency signing of Leganes striker Martin Braithwaite on Thursday, and the Dane could be in line to make his Blaugrana debut alongside Messi at the Camp Nou.

Leganes director general Martin Ortega has labelled Barcelona's transfer of Martin Braithwaite "unfair" and said it's "hugely damaging" for the relegation-threatened club.

The Catalans announced his capture on Thursday, using his mandatory €18 million buyout clause to add the Dane as an emergency injury replacement. Barcelona received permission to do so outside the transfer window because Ousmane Dembele suffered a long-term injury.

Leganes had no choice in the matter and can not sign a replacement of their own, something Ortega thought isn't right:

"We would understand this rule applying if there were a mutual agreement between clubs, but the current rules go against equality between clubs. We'll do whatever it takes in a situation that causes irreparable harm"

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) February 20, 2020

"The player has been a gentleman and a professional. Yesterday he trained completely normally, knowing he could get injured. We'd like to thank him, his sporting performance has been immense."

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) February 20, 2020

The move means Leganes have lost their two best attacking weapons in a little over a month, with Youssef En-Nesyri joining Sevilla in January. The chances of Los Pepineros surviving the relegation battle seem slim at best as a result.

Ben Hayward of the London Evening Standard thought it was deeply unfair on the La Liga minnows:

Rules are rules and Barça have not broken any here, but this allows one of the world's richest clubs to bring in a player (having shipped out two forwards in January), while a team with one of the smallest budgets in LaLiga are powerless to prevent it.

— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) February 19, 2020

Spanish football expert Sid Lowe noted Leganes took aim at the rule itself and not the Blaugrana:

Worth noting something here: Leganés not blaming Barcelona. The rule is unfair; that's where their focus is.

— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) February 20, 2020

According to Ramon Fuentes of Sport, La Liga are already looking at amending the rule to exclude buyout clauses in the future.

Under the current rule, Spanish clubs can ask permission to sign an injury replacement outside the transfer window. Any target has to be a free agent or already registered in Spain. Because buyout clauses are mandatory in La Liga, there's no need to negotiate with clubs if the team is willing to pay the full amount.

That creates a major issue for La Liga's smaller clubs. Sports writer Samuel Marsden explained how players and agents have no incentive to agree to a big clause if their goal is to take a step up in the future:

players/agents have to agree them as well I believe. Often they will hope Leganes etc a stepping stone so won’t want massive clauses that can trap them.

— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) February 20, 2020

Braithwaite's €18 million clause at Leganes hardly presented a problem for Barcelona, who promptly inserted a massive €300 million buyout clause into his new deal.

The Catalans parted with Abel Ruiz and Carles Perez in January without signing replacements, while an injury to Luis Suarez meant they were short on depth. Dembele then suffered a hamstring injury shortly after the transfer window closed, further reducing their attacking options.  

Lionel Messi has said former team-mate Neymar "really wants to come back to Barcelona" and has backed a move for Inter Milan striker and Argentina team-mate Lautaro Martinez.

Neymar, 28, has been linked with a return to Barca effectively since he joined Paris Saint-Germain for €222 million in August 2017, with speculation again building around a possible reunion this summer.

Six-time Ballon d'Or-winner Messi, 32, told Mundo Deportivo (h/t Sport) he and his team-mates did their best to convince the star to stay but that Neymar is itching for a comeback:

"It bothered me at the time and we tried to convince him not to do it. But we all want to win and have the best players around us. He's one of the best players in the world and he brought a lot to the team. But it's understandable that people would see it as leaving in a bad way."

"He is desperate to return and has always appeared to regret his decision. He did a lot to come back and that would be the first step in making it happen. He was always fine at Barca, performing at a very high level. He's a different type of player who is difficult to stop one-on-one and scores goals.

Neymar has scored 67 goals and recorded 39 assists in 77 total appearances for PSG, winning two Ligue 1 titles and with a third seemingly on its way as they lead this season's table by 10 points.

Their domestic dominance hasn't transitioned into European success, however, and the French side have fallen in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 in each of Neymar's first two campaigns at the club.

Optus Sport illustrated how Barcelona haven't been entirely smart with how they've invested their funds from the Neymar sale, including the £105 million purchase of Philippe Coutinho (now on loan at Bayern Munich):

Imagine if Barcelona used Neymar's fee like Liverpool re-invested after Coutinho... 🤑

A deeper dive 📝 https://t.co/RA79sME9TB#OptusSport #PL pic.twitter.com/9ZNvR7MPnW

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) February 13, 2020

Barca would likely be required to spend an almost-identical—if not greater—sum than the one they received to re-sign Neymar, although his contract is due to expire in 2022.

Neymar returned from a four-match injury lay-off when PSG lost 2-1 at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.

His comments to RMC Sport (h/t Sky Sports) after the game suggested there's tension at the Parc des Princes:

"It is difficult to spend four matches without playing, but, unfortunately, it was not my choice. 

"It was a choice made by the club, the doctors. They took this decision and I did not like it. We had lots of discussions about this because I wanted to play.

"I felt good but the club was scared. In the end, I am the one who suffers."

It might be wiser of Barcelona to sign Martinez, not least because Messi appears to be a major fan of the Inter frontman, who has also scored nine goals in 17 games for Argentina.

Messi lauded his compatriot's quality and added:

"He's spectacular. He's got a lot of impressive qualities. I can see he's going to become a great player, he's exploded on to the scene now and is showing what he's capable of. He's very strong, beats his man and scores goals. He'll fight with anyone in the box, holds on to the ball, and can produce moments by himself. He's got a lot of quality and is a very complete player."

When asked whether Martinez could form a fruitful partnership with him and Luis Suarez, Messi replied: 

"It would be incredible to all play together. I hope that they could all come here and we could fight for everything, including the Champions League. Lautaro has a lot in common with Luis, both are ready strong and use their bodies well, holding on to the ball. They both score goals too. They are very similar."

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a breakout campaign at the San Siro, netting 16 times in 22 outings across all competitions, two short of matching his career-best total (18 goals for Racing Club in 2017-18).

Barca have had to rely heavily on Messi in attack since Suarez, 33, was ruled out for four months with a knee injury in January.

The club announced on Thursday that they had completed the emergency signing of striker Martin Braithwaite from Leganes on a four-and-a-half-year deal. His contract comes with a €300 million (£251.7 million) release clause, with the deal made possible after Ousmane Dembele was ruled out for around six months. However, Barca will likely look for a more elite option to replenish their attacking corps for the long term.

Martinez's international record includes an impressive run of eight goals in 13 games for La Albiceleste across 2019, and Statman Dave highlighted his attacking prowess in Serie A:

Lautaro Martínez is averaging 4.3 shots per game in Serie A this season, only Cristiano Ronaldo (5.6) is averaging more.

One of the most exciting young forwards in the world. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/AoKBDEIhzn

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 11, 2020

Juan Jimenez of AS wrote in December that Barcelona hope to sign the South American, whose release clause will be €111 million (£93 million) during the first two weeks of July 2020.

Suarez has a contract at the Camp Nou until 2021 and will need replacing in the near future, with Messi seemingly clear over whom he would like to see take over his position in attack.  

Barcelona will officially unveil Martin Braithwaite as their latest signing on Thursday, when he will put pen to paper on a contract until 2024 that includes a €300 million buyout clause.

The Blaugrana shared the contract details and the timeline of his official presentation:

📋 This is the schedule for @MartinBraith's presentation as a Barça player:
✍ 6pm: Contract signing
📸 6.45pm: Photo session on the pitch at the Camp Nou.
👋 🏟 7.15pm: Presentation and press conference
📺 Follow live on https://t.co/A1WiJBXvhL pic.twitter.com/sxfnAqOOvn

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 20, 2020

The Denmark international will cost the Catalans €18 million, the total of his buyout clause. Braithwaite joins from fellow La Liga club Leganes.

Barcelona were able to sign the 28-year-old outside of the transfer window thanks to a rule that allows La Liga clubs to make moves for injury cover. Per Sport, they were given permission to add a replacement for Ousmane Dembele on Monday.

Under La Liga rules, clubs can only add players who are free agents or who are already registered in Spain. 

Braithwaite has netted six times for Leganes in La Liga this season, leading the way for the team. He previously played for Esbjerg, Toulouse and Middlesbrough.

The move is somewhat controversial, with Leganes powerless to prevent their most productive forward from leaving because of a mandatory buyout clause. They are in the midst of a battle against relegation and can't sign a replacement outside the transfer window.

As the London Evening Standard's Ben Hayward observed, the minnows have lost two of their best players in the space of a little more than a month, with Youssef En-Nesyri joining Sevilla in January:

Rules are rules and Barça have not broken any here, but this allows one of the world's richest clubs to bring in a player (having shipped out two forwards in January), while a team with one of the smallest budgets in LaLiga are powerless to prevent it.

— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) February 19, 2020

Leganes were not happy to see Braithwaite go:

Leganés Director General Martín Ortega on Braithwaite: "We find ourselves in a hugely damaging situation. We can't understand the current rules that mean a club, suffering a long-term injury, can unilaterally carry out an operation and pass the problem onto another club."

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) February 20, 2020

Barcelona parted with Abel Ruiz and Carles Perez in January and failed to sign replacements, leaving them dangerously low on depth. Luis Suarez has been sidelined since January 9, and Dembele had surgery to fix a hamstring issue earlier in February, per Barcelona's official website.

Braithwaite will provide valuable depth for a team that has been too reliant on Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Ansu Fati of late. All three have shown signs of fatigue, and they may now be able to rest their legs ahead of the stretch run.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has played down rumours he could leave the club this summer, saying his plan is to stay at the Camp Nou.

Messi's future has been a hot topic since a public row with club director Eric Abidal earlier in February. Per The Independent's Mark Critchley, his contract contains a clause allowing him to terminate it for free, and Manchester City were keeping an eye on proceedings.

But in an interview with Mundo Deportivo (h/t The Spanish Football Podcast), Messi said he has no intention of leaving Catalonia and that he has never considered an exit:

On his clause: "Really I've always had that decision, not just because of the clause. A lot of times I've had chances to leave, a lot of clubs were interested and even ready to pay my clause but I never considered going and not now either. If the club want me, there's no problem"

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) February 20, 2020

He also touched on the Abidal controversy, saying he felt attacked:

"It annoyed me that someone at the club would put the players in the middle of a sacking like that, it seemed crazy to me. It's him who takes decisions and has to take responsibility. That's why I spoke out. I couldn't allow the sporting director to attack me in that way."

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) February 20, 2020

Per RAC 1 (h/t Juan Jimenez of AS), Abidal said certain players didn't train hard enough under former manager Ernesto Valverde. That led to a response from Messi on social media, calling on the director to name them.

The public spat quickly led to transfer rumours involving the likes of City and Juventus. City boss Pep Guardiola told reporters he didn't want the 32-year-old to leave his current club, per Goal's Chris Burton, and Bianconeri manager Maurizio Sarri side-stepped the question:

Could we see Lionel Messi join Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/lYkakizavc

— GOAL (@goal) February 12, 2020

Messi has spent his entire professional career at the Camp Nou, winning a staggering 10 La Liga titles. He has also won the Copa del Rey six times and led Barcelona to four UEFA Champions League titles.

He's the all-time top scorer for the Blaugrana by some distance, scoring 622 official goals. With the exception of the 2015-16 campaign, he has led Barcelona in scoring in La Liga in every season since 2010.

The 2019-20 season has been another strong one for Messi, who has scored 14 goals and added 12 assists in 19 La Liga appearances. Things have been rocky for the club at times, however, with a coaching change in January and underperformance.

The Argentinian praised Valverde in his interview, saying the players were "more to blame" and that it's a shame how things ended for him at the Camp Nou.

He also touched on the latest controversy involving president Josep Maria Bartomeu, which is being dubbed Barcagate. Bartomeu allegedly hired a firm to improve his image at the cost of others at the club.

Messi told Mundo  (h/t Sport) the situation is a strange one and that he will wait to see what evidence surfaces before commenting in detail.

Barcelona's growing controversy surrounding president Josep Maria Bartomeu and marketing consultancy I3 Ventures has left star player Lionel Messi bemused.

Messi spoke to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Sport) about the brewing turn of events now being dubbed "Barcagate" by some:

"The truth is it took me by surprise because I wasn't here and I was traveling. When I arrived I found out a little about everything. The president told us the same thing he made public, the same thing he said at the press conference. What the situation was, what had happened and I can't say much more than that. Just as they know everything he said, he spoke to the captains in private.

"The truth is that I find it strange that such a thing happens. But they also said that there would be evidence. We cannot say much and will wait to see what happens with all this. To me really, it seems a strange issue."

Messi's words have come on the heels of Bartomeu denying allegations he hired I3 Ventures to help improve his own image as president, while also besmirching the reputations of key names at the club, including Messi and Gerard Pique.

Bartomeu called claims a company was contracted to present negative portrayals of club legends past and present "completely false," per Barca's official website (h/t Press Association via the Independent).

The statement also involved Bartomeu conceding a social media account tied to I3 Ventures had published a negative remark about Barca personnel. Termination of contract has followed this breach, according to the embattled president.

Ironically, Messi's call for a wait-and-see approach to the accusations and any further developments is in stark contrast to the words used by Pique. The 33-year-old centre-back branded reporter Marcal Lorente a "puppet" on Twitter for appearing to defend Bartomeu (h/t Santi Gimenez of AS).

Bartomeu's public relations practices were first questioned by radio station SER Catalunya and La Llotja del Que t'hi Jugues (h/t TalkSport's Josh Fordham), who accused the president's chosen contractor of shaping social media opinion against Messi over the issue of signing a new contract, while Pique's stewardship of the Davis Cup was also a target.

In addition, El Periodic (h/t Football Espana) detailed how online posts had been critical of Pique's ownership of FC Andorra.

The latest scandal is another chapter in what is turning into a season defined by unsavoury episodes. Messi was recently embroiled in a public war of words with sporting director Eric Abidal.

Indifferent results on the pitch have already made Ernesto Valverde a casualty in the dugout. Keeping Barca on course, both in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, won't be easy amid the backdrop of continuing chaos off the pitch.

It's the challenge facing Quique Setien, who needs talismen like Messi and Pique motivated to give their best.