Barcelona coach: Messi is a thing of the past

Messi left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain.

AFP

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said yesterday that Lionel Messi is now a thing of the past, and that his rivals in the Spanish Football League should focus on the present.

The Dutch coach's statements came in a press conference, while the Catalan team is preparing for its first match in the new season of the local league today, against the guest Real Sociedad, after the departure of Argentine star Messi to Paris Saint-Germain, after the failure of attempts to extend the contract between the two parties.

Koeman pointed to the need to focus on the present and the future.

The coach also said that Messi's departure "is painful for all Barcelona fans, given what the player has done for the club, but we cannot live in the past. I am excited before the start of the new season, and I hope the fans are excited as well."

We have to live in the present, not the past.”

Koeman added, "People have talked a lot about Messi, and this is normal, given his efficiency and outstanding capabilities.

He is really gone, but we still have a very strong team, there are no excuses now, and we have to win and get the points.”

There is other good news for Barcelona, ​​after it managed to sign its new players, Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay, and after Gerard Pique agreed to reduce his salary in line with the rules of financial fair play for the tournament.

Barcelona indicated that it is in talks with other players to reduce their salaries as well, in order to alleviate the financial troubles experienced by the club.

On these aspects, Koeman said, "Everyone knows the club's situation, and this needs to extend a helping hand."

"Messi's departure is painful for all Barcelona fans, given what the player has done for the club."

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