Barcelona are closing ranks over Lionel Messi’s absence from Monday’s training session due to gastroenteritis.
The Blaugrana want Messi to feel comfortable at the club after starting Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad on the bench, and according to Sport they want his alleged spat with boss Luis Enrique to be nipped in the bud before it escalates further.
Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets – the three first team captains alongside Messi – are scheduled to meet the Argentine on Wednesday to try and calm the situation prior to Thursday’s Copa del Rey clash with Elche.
It is understood that Messi’s absence from training, which took place in front of numerous children, has not gone down well within the club, although the trio believe he is telling the truth regarding his illness.
Even so, Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets do not want any gap in relations to develop and along with the rest of the squad they realise a happy dressing room is essential if the club is to achieve success this season.
Barca will face the winners of Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Cup if they manage to overcome Elche.
