Former Barcelona goalkeeper Andoni Zubisarreta revealed an incident between Catalan club captain Lionel Messi and former coach Tata Martino, and the incident demonstrated Messi's power and influence within the team.
In an interview with the Spanish newspaper "EL PAIS", Zubizarreta talked about the period of Tata Martino's stay with Barcelona between 2013 and 2014, during which time the team crowned a single title, for the first time since 2008.
Zubizarreta pointed out that Tata Martino approached Messi in one of the training sessions, and told him, "I know you can call the club president and I will find myself outside the team, I know this and I do not need to remind me every time."
Messi (left) and Martineau during a previous game in Barcelona (Reuters)
This incident highlights the widespread influence of Messi in Barcelona during the past years, as reports confirmed that he had special privileges when choosing coaches or players who succeeded in the Catalan club.
And press reports in Spain confirmed that the new Barcelona coach - Ronald Koeman - spoke frankly with Messi, and told him that he would not get privileges in the team, which angered the player and contributed to his decision to leave, before he backed down and decided to continue until the end of his contract in June / Next June.