Barcelona Coach Ronald Koeman has praised superstar Lionel Messi for putting his differences aside to help the club, MySportDab reports.
When Koeman was appointed this summer, Messi’s future was unknown, with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner ready to leave the Spanish club.
Messi had fallen out with the Barcelona board, and former president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
But, after his change of heart, Messi has now concentrated on his football and helping Barcelona until the season end.
‘When I arrived, i was told that Messi was not happy,’ Koeman said in an interview with SPORT.
‘We spoke about it at his house. He explained everything and I was honest with him.
‘I told him that the things I could change only on the pitch: the style of play, his position, and his importance to the team. But i can not change the issues he had with the club.
‘Messi showed me that he’s a good person that wants to win, be the best and always be the best, despite his problems with the club.’
One other problem for Ronald Koeman’s since he arrived was the impact of forward Antoine Griezmann at Barcelona.
Griezmann was highly rated after arriving from Atletico Madrid, and but a year after he has failed to make an impact at the club.
