Amid Messi-Abidal row, coach Setien keeps his line straight

Barcelona, February 6

Barcelona coach Quique Setien said he would not get involved in “Lionel Messi’s life” after the Argentine superstar became entangled in a row with the club’s sporting director Eric Abidal.

Messi hit back at Abidal on Tuesday after the Frenchman had earlier blamed slackness in the dressing room for the departure of the recently-fired boss Ernesto Valverde.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper Sport, Abidal said under Valverde, who was fired in mid-January, many players had been unhappy, had not worked hard enough and had not communicated properly. “I’m not going to get into Messi’s life, or anyone’s life,” said Setien, who replaced Valverde. “What interests me is football, everything else are situations that I will not be able to control, therefore I do not sweat on it,” the 61-year-old added.

Setien denied he had spoken individually to the Argentina star about the incident but said it had been briefly discussed in a training session by the squad.

Former Real Betis boss Setien said Messi’s behaviour remained the same despite the falling out with Abidal. — AFP