Josep Maria Bartomeu has assured Barcelona fans that Lionel Messi is happy again after his reported bust-up with boss Luis Enrique.
Following the Argentine’s fine performance in the 3-1 weekend defeat of Atletico Madrid, the Barca President believes Messi has got a smile back on his face again and will be staying at the Camp Nou despite recent rumours of his departure.
“Messi’s happiness comes with him being on the field. If you see how he is playing at his current level, with a smile, we can all relax because Leo is working well,” Bartomeu told BeIN Sports, as reported by Europa Press.
“Things always occur within a team but the relationships are good and there is a good atmosphere. I see everyone at close hand and they are all very much united.”
Bartomeu called on the supporters to get behind the team and asked them to remember that everyone is trying to get things right.
“All I ask is that we dedicate ourselves to supporting the team and everybody else: the boss, the coaches, the staff, because we are only halfway through the season with the other half still to come.
“I believe that’s what the fans at the Camp Nou want – to support their team,” he said, before commenting that he did not want to talk about elections or controversies until the end of the season.
“We have brought the elections forward as it was a debate surrounding us and there was tension, which has been exaggerated, but we’ll leave it until the summer.
“Right now we don’t want to talk about non-sporting issues, so let’s just concentrate on the football, “he declared.