Lionel Messi blasts former FC Barcelona teammate on Instagram; here's why

Lionel Messi slammed FC Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal on social media for the latter's comments saying the players were not working hard under former manager Ernesto Valverde.

Abidal, who was Messi's teammate at Barca during his playing days, made those remarks in an interview with a Spanish newspaper Diario Sport.

"Many players weren't satisfied or working hard and there was also an internal communication problem.

The relationship between the coach and the dressing room has always been good but there are things as an ex-player that I could smell. I told the club what I thought and we reached a decision [on Valverde]," Abidal said in an interview recently.

Messi, who is quite active on Instagram, took to the popular social media platform to get back to Abidal for his comments.

"When you talk about players, you have to give names because if not, it gives air to things which are not true. Sincerely, I don't like to do these things but I think that people have to be responsible for their jobs and own their decisions.

The players [are responsible] for what happens on the pitch and we are the first to admit when we haven't been good. The heads of the sports department have to take their responsibilities too and above all own, the decisions they make," Messi shared the interview on his insta story and criticised Abidal for his comments.

Valverde, who took charge of Barca in 2017, was recently sacked after a string of Barca's poor performances. While there were rumors that Barca legend Xavi Hernandez could become the next manager, the Spanish giants signed Quique Setien for the role.

Meanwhile, in the same interview with the Spanish media firm Abidal had also mentioned that Messi was happy at the club and a new contract for the Argentine legend was currently being negotiated.

Barca are currently placed second on the La Liga table. They lost their top spot to arch-rivals Real Madrid after their 2-0 loss to Valence in their latest league match.