Abidal Holds Talk With Barcelona Following Messi Row

FC Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu has scheduled a meeting with the club’s sporting director, Eric Abidal to discuss his row with captain, Lionel Messi.

This follows the Argentine’s response to ex-player Abidal’s criticism over players poor attitude to work in a Spanish newspaper on Tuesday, with the 6 times Ballon d’ Or winner asking Abidal to “give names,” in an Instagram post.

Abidal alleged that players in the current team were unhappy and had not been working hard enough under former boss, Ernesto Valverde, who consequently was dismissed in January and replaced by Quique Setien.

The club’s sports director told Spanish Newspaper that: “A lot of players were not happy and did not work much and there was also a problem with internal communication.”

“The relationship between the coach and dressing room was always good, but there are things that as an ex-player I can sense. I told the club what I thought and we had to make a decision.”

Messi countered Abidal’s criticism on his social media stating that players take responsibility for short falls in their performance and urged the club’s senior officials to take responsibility for their own actions.

He further the warned that the comment by the sports director can taint the image of the team when it was directed to some members of the club.

“I honestly do not like to do this kind of thing but I think that everyone has to be responsible for their job and take responsibility for their decisions,” Messi said on his Instagram page.

“Players for what happens on the field, we are also the first to acknowledge when we don’t play well.

“Those in charge of sporting direction should also face up to their responsibilities and above all take charge of their own decisions.

“Lastly, I think that when you talk about players, you should give names because otherwise you are tainting everyone’s name and feeding rumours that spread and are not true.” The 6 times Ballon d, Or winner said.

Sky sports reports that Bartomeu plans to discuss the future of the French man in the club.