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Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona shows his disappointment during the League match between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna at Camp Nou on July 16, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.
Ronald Koeman has extended his hand to Lionel messi calling him “the best” as Barcelona prepares to play their first game since Messi’s failed attempt to leave this summer.
Barça face Gimnastic Tarragona in a friendly on Saturday and Messi could appear after Koeman said he will line up two separate lineups in each half.
Messi only returned to preseason training on Monday and has worked the team’s days off as he tries to make up for lost time after a chaotic few weeks.
Koeman said last month that he only hoped to retain players who wanted to be at the club and then held a meeting with Messi, in which he reportedly took a hard line with the Argentine.
But after Messi’s explosive interview with Goal last week, in which he said he had been forced to stay but vowed to give his all for the team, Koeman took a more conciliatory tone on Friday.
“I have already said it several times that Messi is the best,” Koeman said.
“Messi when he is in good physical shape is a very important player as he has shown for many years and I hope he can repeat it this year.”
Earlier on Friday, Barcelona vice president Pau Vilanova said the club had heeded Messi’s criticism after the 33-year-old expressed frustration with the team’s leadership.
It is the first time that someone from the Barça leadership has spoken publicly since Messi declared his position.
“We are very happy that Messi is with us and has joined this exciting project,” Vilanova said on Friday.
“You have to take his words into account and that is why we are beginning a recovery. That is why we are beginning a new, fresh and exciting project.”
After the Gimnastico de Tarragona, Barcelona play friendlies against Elche and Girona, before starting their league season against Villarreal at the end of the month.
All eyes will be on Messi and whether he has the motivation to rejoin and find his best form again.
“In any profession, we have all had doubts about our situation and then, after some reflection, we have decided to continue or leave,” said Vilanova.
“In this case he will continue and be motivated.”
Messi was particularly critical of Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, whom he accused of breaking his word on an agreement to let him go.
“We hope and wish that there is respect and unity so that the club can function,” Vilanova said. “Obviously, there are people from the club who are talking to him.”
After Barcelona’s historic 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Bartomeu brought forward the presidential elections, which will be held on March 20 and 21.
But more than 7,500 members have signed a petition to get rid of him before, and it takes 16,500 signatures to provoke a vote of no confidence.
“We have set the date for the assembly and the elections,” added Vilanova. “In short, we are working for the good of Barça.”
Despite the controversy over Messi and the sad end to last season, Koeman insists the mood in the team is good.
“It has been very positive,” he said. “The players are working very well, there is a lot of intensity in training.
“We have become more physical and now we have to work more on tactics but in all training sessions the players have shown a lot of encouragement, interest and intensity and that is very important because you play as you train.
“I am very happy with the work they have done these two weeks.”
