As much as a manager can’t be disrespected by his players, this is actually hilarious.
It has, as we’re all more than well aware by now, been a bumpy few months for Lionel Messi at Barcelona.
After coming mightily close to leaving the Camp Nou in the summer, the Argentine has since won his power play with Josep Bartomeu, who resigned as president last month after a (few) scathing attack(s) from the club’s all-time record goalscorer.
Now, as things start to settle, it’s been revealed that Bartomeu wasn’t the only one to clash with the club captain, with former manager Quique Setien also involved in a heated – and, if we’re honest, quite funny – exchange with Messi.
The 61-year-old departed after Barca’s cataclysmic end to last season, and, according to Mundo Deportivo, had his tactics questioned by Messi after a disappointing result against Celta Vigo in June which put Real Madrid in the driving seat for the La Liga title.
Messi is said to have told Setien to show more respect for the players in the dressing room who have won more than he has.
“If you don’t like what I said, you know where the door is,” Setien is said to have responded, prompting laughter from Messi.
As much as we appreciate that a manager cannot be disrespected by his players, the thought of *anyone* saying that to Lionel Messi is pretty hilarious.
Talk of him leaving the Camp Nou has died down for now, though this remains a possibility.
Barca hold their presidential elections in March, and although it’s expected Messi will make a decision on his future after that, he will have the chance to listen to other clubs in January.
Manchester City, who appeared his most likely destination in the summer, are reportedly poised to offer him a pre-contract.
