He made comments about Lionel Messi…
A Barcelona director has been sacked after claiming that Lionel Messi has only ever been a good player because of the other players around him.
Pere Gratacos has lost his job after he said, “Messi wouldn’t be as good without Andres Iniesta or Neymar.”
He added: “Obviously Leo is the most important player of the team but it was Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique as well – the whole team – who got us through.”
In a statement on Friday, Barca said Gratacos would be replaced as head of sporting relations with the Spanish Football Federation, but would retain a role within the club’s youth academy.
Messi, 29, is yet to agree a new deal with Barcelona, with his current contract expiring in 2018. The 5-time Ballon D’or winner and 3-time Champions League winner has been with the club since he was 13.
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
