IVAN RAKITIC has insisted his former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann ‘get along very well’ amid rumours of a rift.
The pair are reportedly at odds in a fractious dressing room environment, with Griezmann once claiming the two barely talk.
Rumours persist that Messi and Griezmann have not seen eye to eye since the Frenchman arrived last summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But midfielder Rakitic, who left the Nou Camp for Sevilla this summer, has denied any suggestion of a divide between the attacking players, merely suggesting their relationship had ups and downs.
He told radio programme El Pelotazo on Canal Sur: “From what I could see they got along very well. I got along wonderfully with Antoine and Leo. What there is, I don’t know.
“It’s a bit like everything.
“If you win every game 5-0, we can all laugh. If not, many things are sought.
“But they are two spectacular boys. I have met Antoine, he is a spectacular boy and there should be no problem.”
Griezmann’s former agent weighed in on the debate this week and did not hold back as he blasted Messi’s ‘reign of terror’.
Eric Olhats said: “Antoine arrived at a club where Messi has the final word on everything.
“He is as much an emperor as a monarch and he didn’t take kindly to the signing of Antoine.
Rakitic, now at Sevilla, has denied talk of a rift between his former Barcelona colleagues Credit: Reuters
“His attitude has been deplorable and he made him feel unwelcome.
“I’ve always disliked hearing Griezmann say that there are no issues with Messi but never the other way around.
“It’s a reign of terror. You’re either with him or against him.
“Last season, when Griezmann arrived, Messi didn’t speak to him and didn’t pass him the ball. I think he suffered because of a negative adaptation.
The Frenchman has struggled to adapt to life at the Nou Camp since arriving in 2019, and has only two goals so far this season.
Messi meanwhile has faced criticisms about some of his performances this campaign after he tried to force his way out of the club over the summer.
Antoine Griezmann shows off his goal scoring skills in Barcelona team training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
