Juve boss reveals what Messi is suffering after failed exit
Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo has claimed Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is struggling from a mentality issue following his failed summer exit from the club.
Messi was heavily linked with a move away from the Camp Nou ahead of the 2020/21 season as the Argentinian international entered into the final year of his contract in Catalonia.
Despite the fervent speculation, Messi confirmed he would remain at the club and see out his contract, with the potential of signing an extension in 2021.
Andrea Pirlo (Juventus coach) : "Because of the summer saga, Messi's problem is his mind, not his football. Ronaldo's problem is his football, not his mind. In his mind, he still thinks he is the best!" pic.twitter.com/KpLf0shHgR
— TotalBarca (@TotalBarto) December 7, 2020
However, his form this season has been indifferent with four goals from nine league games.
Ronald Koeman has defended his skipper’s mixed goal scoring run, stating he is an ‘easy culprit’ for Barcelona’s struggles, but Pirlo believes there is still an issue with Messi.
“He is at a special moment in his life, not just in his career, because he had a problem this summer,” as per reports from Marca.
🎙 Andrea Pirlo: "I don't believe in the 'crisis' of Barcelona. They are a great team. We know we will have to suffer, but we are calm and aware of our mistakes in the first game." #BarçaJuve pic.twitter.com/h3XRP0DlYt
— FCBarcelonaFl 🏆 (@FCBarcelonaFl) December 7, 2020
“Whether he stayed at Barça or not, during games he has always shown his value.
“More than football, he probably has a problem mentally, but I don’t want to go into it, it’s not our place.
“Messi is a phenomenon and he has always shown that.”
Barcelona take on Juventus in their final Champions League group game on December 8, with Koeman’s side on the brink of confirming top spot in Group G.
Andrea Pirlo :
"Koeman a raison. Ce serait mauvais de dire qui est meilleur entre Messi et Ronaldo. Ce sont deux phénomènes, qui donnent des spectacles à de millions de tifosi. On doit seulement les remercier". #BarçaJuve #UCL pic.twitter.com/v1PF59vJQb
— JUVE INFO FRANCE 🇨🇵 (@JuveFanInfoFR) December 7, 2020
Read Also: Messi Ready To Face Ronaldo In Champions League
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