“I feel that I have fulfilled my objective”

Former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has reacted to Lionel Messi’s comments about their relationship and achievements at the club.

The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) playmaker recently looked back on his time under Enrique at Camp Nou. He said:

“I came back from Argentina after the holidays and we played on January 2 or 3, I don’t remember well, and I ended up going to the bank and we had an argument that lasted a bit. .. but then we had a spectacular relationship until the last day when he decided to leave and was told to stay, not leave, that we were fine.”

Enrique managed Barcelona for three years between 2014 and 2017. He led them to two La Liga titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy, among other accolades.

Responding to Messi’s comments about him, the Spanish boss said Mundo Deportivo:

“We ended up with a good relationship with Messi. For me, after Leo’s statements, I feel that I have fulfilled my objective. That the players appreciate your work is always a good thing, and if he does, the best in history, even more”

Enrique left the Blaugrana in 2017 and was later named Spain manager in 2018. He will lead La Roja at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Joan Laporta on Lionel Messi’s potential return to Barcelona

The Argentina captain left Barcelona in 2021 as a free agent after his contract couldn’t be renewed due to La Liga wage laws and the club’s financial problems.

He then joined PSG but his contract with the French club expires in the summer of 2023. Hence, there have been speculations about a potential Camp Nou return. Blaugrana president Joan Laporta has been asked the same question many times.

In a recent interview with RAC1 he said (via BUT):

“The boys and girls who interviewed me yesterday asked me questions about football, about Messi, [Robert] Lewandowski, Pedri, Gavi… They also asked me questions about Messi when they accompanied me on walks. They told me that I had to bring him back to Barça.”

He added:

“I told them that he is from Barca, that we were lucky to have him and that we will see. I don’t want to talk about him because he is part of PSG and I don’t want a problem.”

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 672 goals and provided 303 assists in 778 appearances for Barcelona. He helped them win numerous trophies, including four UEFA Champions League trophies and 10 La Liga titles.