Messi On Schuster, Guardiola And Ronaldo

FC Barcelona sensation Lionel Messi has used the midweek international break as an opportunity to attend to matters off the pitch and speak about some of the current hot topics in the game.

Nov 19, 2008 2:02:29 AM

Barcelona's Lionel Messi raises his hand to let everyone know he scored the opening goal in his side's 0-2 win at Recreativo Huelva (Marca)

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After spending almost the entire year featuring in every major competition and playing almost every game, Lionel Messi has earned himself a much-deserved and much-needed rest this week.

Following the agreement between the Argentine FA and Barcelona to omit the phenomenal forward from his country’s friendly against Scotland on Wednesday (today), ‘Little Lionel’ took the opportunity to attend a promotional campaign for ‘Pro Evolution Soccer 2009’.

And during the press conference, he spoke about numerous issues concerning himself and his club, and he started by defending the coach of his fierce rivals, Real Madrid’s Bernd Schuster.

“Schuster has given a lot and done a lot for Madrid, but now there are people who want to get rid of him,” he told reporters.

“It does not seem right that he is being questioned when we’re not even near the halfway point of the league.

“People at Barça and Madrid always become nervous when we start to lose consecutive games. But it is important to remember that the season is long.”

The attention then quickly turned to the relationship between himself and his own trainer, Pep Guardiola. The 21-year-old was quick to dispel rumours of a rift between the pair after he failed to consult his coach before declaring to reporters his intentions to skip training and travel to Scotland to watch Argentina play in a friendly.

He said: “It’s not necessary to turn everything I say into a controversy. If there is a training session at Barcelona, then I will be there.

“From the very beginning, Guardiola has always approached me to help me get better, not just on the field.”

Finally, Messi was asked to give his opinion on Cristiano Ronaldo’s comment earlier in the week when the Portuguese ace declared himself the first, second and third best player in the world. The modest Argentine, however, declined to enter the debate, choosing instead to focus on the interest of his own team.

KS Leong