Coach Ronald Koeman has now urged Barcelona to sack the person responsible for leaking Lionel Messi’s contract details to Spanish newspaper El Mundo, MySportDab reports.
The Barcelona coach said: ‘This has only come out to damage him. Messi deserves more respect.
‘He has helped Spanish football a lot. There are people still trying hard to hurt Barcelona and Messi.
‘If it’s from someone on the inside then that is bad and they should leave the club immediately.’
The El Mundo front page story on Sunday suggested the €550million Messi earns from his current contract with Barcelona will ‘ruin’ the club.
Koeman said it did not affect the 33-year-old Argentine in any way as he scored in the match against Athletic Bilbao.
Messi had his first chance of the game which Unai Simon saved well but the Athletic keeper could not stop his free kick before the break.
Athletic had Iker Muniain under the wall and Yeray trying to stay on the goal line but nothing could stop Messi’s free-kick.
‘I don’t get the idea of linking Messi with the ruin of Barcelona,’ added Koeman.
‘For so many years, he has showed his quality to make this club great and help them win trophies.
‘He’s the best in the world for a long time and he is still decisive.’
Barcelona picked up all three points from the match, which moved them above Real Madrid on the la liga table.
