I’m not Messi’s dad–says Barca boss amid Man City speculation

Barcelona boss Quique Setien has moved to end questions about Lionel Messi’s future after the Argentine forward was involved in a public falling-out with sporting director Eric Abidal this week.

Abidal recently suggested Barcelona’s players were partly responsible for Ernesto Valverde’s sacking in January. That prompted Messi to hit out at his former teammate for not naming individual players.

Messi is out of contract next summer but there is a clause in his contract which would allow him to leave for free at the end of this season.

“Of course [Messi is still motivated],” Setien said.

“I have seen him smiling, he seems fine, he loves coming to train, he loves being here, he looks the same as yesterday and the day before.

“Messi has the experience and the capacity to decide about things that he should or should not do. I’m not going to get involved in the life of Messi, or anyone else.

“I’m nobody’s dad, I have to ensure that my players come here, come here happy and that what we provide on the pitch are good for them to grow so that we can continue winning. The other stuff doesn’t bother me at all.

“The majority of things you have said I’m sure are very important things but they don’t affect me at all.”

read also: Messi demands Abidal name names after dressing room criticism

Setien admitted he had spoken briefly with the squad about Abidal’s comments, but insisted Barcelona were solely focussed on their upcoming fixture and tried to move the conversation on from the speculation.