When Koeman arrived in the summer, Messi’s future was top of the agenda, with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner having publicly admitted his desire to leave. He had fallen out with the board, and in particular, the now-former president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
It appears however as if the Argentinian has since put that behind him to concentrate on his football and guide Barcelona through the season.
“When I arrived, they told me Messi was unhappy,” Koeman said in an interview with SPORT.
“We spoke at his house. He explained his reasons and I was honest.
“I told him that the only things I could change were football things: the system of play, his position on the pitch, his importance in the team. But the issues he had with the club, I could not change them.
“Messi demonstrated to me that he’s a person that wants to win things, be the best and continue being the best, even though he’s had his problems with the club.”
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