Barcelona manager, Quique Setien has insisted that Lionel Messi loves playing for Barcelona and he is still smiling in training after his recent dispute with sporting director Eric Abidal.
Setien said the Argentine’s attitude has not changed at all and during training on Wednesday, the entire squad was joyful as usual.
According to him, Messi is old enough to take decisions on things he should and should not do so he does not intend to meddle.
Quique added that he is no one’s father, so he does not intend to get involved in any player’s life.
His words, “Of course, 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,”
“I will try everything possible to ensure my group are as little affected as possible. We spoke one minute about this, talking about the importance of tomorrow’s game and the obligation we have to completely focus on that, which is what interests us.
“My interest is football, as for everything else I’m sure there are situations I’m not able to control so that’s why I don’t waste my time on them.
“I’m going to talk about what really interests me and the players, football. I will try to make sure everything that happens around the club doesn’t affect us.
“I know there are always problems in this club and it is the same in every club in the world, I’m sure. You can talk, but talk to me about football, please. I want to have training, prepare for the game and focus.”
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