Lionel Messi continues to be the best footballer in the world and he makes Barcelona the best team when he is part of it, says Barca coach Ronald Koeman.
The representative of Argentina was left on the bench for the first time since September 2019 in the 5: 2 victory of Barca against Real Betis at the Camp Nou.
He had failed to score or assist from the open game in the first six games of this season, before Saturday’s meeting.
But Koeman denied having left him on the bench because of the shape and indicated it was due to a minor injury.
Messi entered the game from the bench and scored from the open game, having previously scored from the penalty spot for the fifth time this season in all competitions.
Koeman has insisted he has full confidence in the six-time Golden Ball winner, who no further than last summer insisted on leaving the Camp Nou.
“Messi has proven to me that he is a person who wants to win trophies and continue to be the best, even though he has had problems with the club,” said Koeman.
“Barcelona has been and will always be a better team with Messi. When I came, I was told that Messi was unhappy. We talked at his house and he explained the reasons. I was honest. I told him that the only thing was the system, his position on the field, his importance in the team. I could not change the problem he had with the club.” he added.
“He had problems in the summer, but since he returned to training he has been very good.”
