Ronald Koeman watched has urged FC Barcelona to sack anyone found culplable for leaking Lionel Messi’s contract details to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.
Messi scored his 650th goal for Barcelona in Sunday’s La Liga Santander 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao but the pre match build up was dominated by the reports of the Argentinean’s prospective huge earnings should he decide to extend his stay at the club.
The story that appeared in El Mundo on Sunday suggested that the 550million euros Messi stands to earn from his current contract with Barcelona had threatened to ‘ruin’ the club.
Messi wasn’t angered by the reports according to Koeman but the Dutchman suggested that the Barça captain had been disrespected.
“What has come out is intended to damage him,” Koeman told the press after the win against Athletic. “Messi deserves respect.
“He has done so much for Spanish football. There are people out to hurt Barcelona and Messi. If it turns out to be someone on the inside then that is very bad and they should have no future at the club.”
El Mundo had reiterated that a deal for Messi with the figures quoted would financially cripple Barcelona but Koeman was quick to disagree.
“I don’t understand how Messi can be linked to the ruin of Barcelona,”added Koeman.
“For years now he (Messi) has demonstrated his quality making this club great and helping them win important trophies.
“He’s been the best in the world for some time now and he is still decisive.”
Barcelona did need a little bit more than Messi to pick up three points that game then above Real Madrid and into second place in the table 10 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
Jordi Alba put past his one goalkeeper four minutes after the restart but Oscar Minugueza overlapped down the right and crossed for Antoine Griezmann to get the winner. It was his 11th goal against Athletic club in 23 games.
“We have to be united,” said Koeman. “We need to put the things that have been published to one side but we know it is difficult. He is a great player. Without Leo we cannot aspire too much.”
