Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman
defended Lionel Messi, saying that he has been the ideal captain and an example
to the rest of the team.
Koeman said this has been evident
in the way he has applied himself since deciding to stay at the club this
season.
Messi gave an outstanding
performance in Barca’s 3-0 win over Celta Vigo on Thursday after playing the
whole second half with 10 men.
His performance helped to crush
any fears that the Argentine might lack commitment after the club refused to
let him leave.
“From day one, Leo has trained
and played well and has given the maximum for the club, for his team and for
his team mates and I have had no complaints about him on any day,” Koeman said
ahead of Barca’s La Liga game at home to Sevilla on Sunday.
“He proved himself once again the other day
against Celta Vigo. He pulled his weight as a captain, he helped the team play
the ball out from the back because it’s so important to keep the ball when you
have one less player.
“There’s no debate. For me he has
always been the best player in the world. I thought that before from the
outside and I think it even more now I’m working with him. He’s fully
committed, he’s an example to everyone as a captain should be.”
Koeman also praised the form of
Philippe Coutinho, who has thrived since returning from a loan spell at Bayern
Munich, having flopped in his first two seasons with the Catalans after a club
record move from Liverpool in 2018.
“Coutinho is a very good player. He has
learned a lot in England and with Bayern Munich and my job as a coach is to get
the best out of each player and find their best role,” he said.
“A coach can help, but it all
starts with the quality of a player and Coutinho is a great footballer.”
The Dutchman also said Barca want
to sign a striker and a centre-back before the transfer window shuts,
confirming their interest in Manchester City defender Eric Garcia.
“We would like to sign this
player. We have four centre-backs and we are short there. We know it’s
difficult financially, but I hope we can get it done,” Koeman said.
Reuters/NAN
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