Luis Enrique defended Barcelona's treatment of players after Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza appeared to question their handling of Lionel Messi's injury.
ADVERTISEMENT
Barcelona want the best for Lionel Messi - Luis Enrique
Barcelona act in the best interest of all their players, said Luis Enrique, after questions over Lionel Messi's fitness struggles.
___5524725___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5524725___2016___9___23___19___luisenrique-cropped_1to7yb7ffwf0jzzslas7cilic_2
Recommended articles
Messi sustained his latest groin problem during Barca's 1-1 LaLiga draw against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday and Bauza suggested the three-week time frame predicted for his recovery is too short.
He subsequently retracted any perceived criticism of the LaLiga champions in an interview with Sport and Luis Enrique is keen to move on from the controversy.
"The only truth in this story, because there are a lot of different opinions floating around, is we all seek the best for Messi and all the other players in the club," he told a news conference ahead of Saturday's trip to face his hometown club Sporting Gijon.
ADVERTISEMENT
"That's the objective we are all looking for. It's always bad news when a player gets injured, dreadful news.
"The best player in the world getting injured is bad news for us and anyone who enjoys watching good football."
"But I would rather not get involved in the merry-go-round of rumours that would only aggravate the situation further."
Luis Enrique hopes his players can repeat the strong performances they produced last season when a period of absence for Messi did not derail their march to the title.
"Last year Messi was out for two-and-a-half months and the team responded fantastically," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We have a great squad in depth.
"Of course we are stronger with Messi, he is the best player in the world. But we have more than enough resources to beat any team, that's the reality of the situation.
"We want him to get fit as soon as possible, as with any player who gets injured, but if we want to win titles we need to deal with moments when players are injured."
Messi's fellow striker Luis Suarez found himself under scrutiny after Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis shared a picture on Instagram of a bloodied foot sustained in a tackle with the Uruguay star during the midweek match.
Luis Enrique felt the row had been blow out of proportion and insisted there was no ill will on Suarez's part.
ADVERTISEMENT
"That's something I only learnt about an hour ago," he said. "With such interest in these stories, my only conclusion is that Luis Suarez had no intention of offending anybody.
"But things so often get interpreted the wrong way in this modern world that we live in. I am quite sure Luis Suarez had no intention of offending anybody."
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
The Intersection of Enthusiasm: United Kingdom's local motorsports and Ghana's rising stars
Video: Watch Fatawu Issahaku’s hat trick in Leicester City’s win against Southampton
RTU suspends coach Abdulai Mumin over match-fixing allegations
Hearts of Oak are better off playing with an empty post than using Richard Attah – Taylor
Sorry for causing you a lot of pain – Dr. Prosper Ogum apologizes to Kotoko fans
Govt hasn't paid us – African Games gold medalist Winnifred Ntumi 'cries' out
Dumsor is part of the reasons why we lost against Legon Cities – Hearts of Oak coach
Black Stars midfielder Daniel Kofi Kyereh to miss rest of season due to injury
