Messi-Pique fight: Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique are not on talking terms with each other, according to Spanish media.
Barcelona endured a struggling start to the new season, even when they’re first in the La Liga. The Catalan club has scored only 14 points from seven matches, which include a shocking loss to Leganes last week.
Barcelona have dropped five points in their last two La Liga matches. Interestingly, in the previous season, Barcelona suffered only one defeat throughout the campaign in April against Levante.
Ernesto Valverde’s side, however, is benefitted from Real Madrid’s slump in form, who are also on 14 points in the league, at second place. The ‘Los Blancos’ also suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at CSKA Moscow in the Champions League last night.
As Barcelona face Tottenham in a bid to bring their campaign back on track, the club is reportedly marred with another controversy.
Spanish media outlet El Chiringuito reports that Barcelona superstars Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique have suffered a relationship breakdown, and are not even on talking terms with each other.
📰 [AS] | “Complete breakdown” in Piqué – Messi relationship.
🔶’El Chiringuito’ has claimed that Barcelona pair Lionel Messi and Gerard Piqué are at loggerheads, particularly in the wake of recent results. pic.twitter.com/ghZo7kJF8S
— BarcaTimes (@BarcaTimes) October 2, 2018
According to the outlet, Pique is furious with Lionel Messi for not taking responsibility in the media for Barcelona’s poor form. It is claimed that Pique feels Messu runs away from media duties ‘when things don’t go his way.’
Messi and Pique are currently at loggerheads, particularly in the wake of recent results. Messi accused Pique of being too porous at the back while Pique says Messi should face the media as captain even though Barcelona is going through a rough time.
— BeksFCB (@JoshuaUbeku) October 2, 2018
Messi, meanwhile, criticised Barcelona’s defence after their loss against Leganes, which seemed to have further angered the former Spanish international.
Gerard Pique has struggled with form this season, and with the injury of Barca’s best-performing central defender Samuel Umtiti, the problems don’t seem to end for the Catalan club.
🔊 Harry Kane: “It motivates me to get even better and improve and hopefully one day score as many, if not more, than Leo Messi has” #SpursBarça pic.twitter.com/o1onwrmCFT
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 2, 2018
Tables have turned rather quickly at the Catalan club, as Barcelona cruised to La Liga title last season with only one loss throughout the campaign. Barca completed the domestic double in the last season, but were knocked out of the quarterfinals of Champions League by Serie A side AS Roma.
Malcom who turned down an offer to join AS Roma in the recent transfer window, has been omitted from Barcelona’s squad that traveled to face Tottenham in London. In addition to that, there is no official club statement about a new injury. #UCL
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStat) October 2, 2018
Barcelona will take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League later tonight, and will play Valencia in the weekend, before players head off to the international break.
