Ronald Koeman reportedly addressed Lionel Messi directly after the Barcelona captain returned to training on Monday.
Messi returned to Joan Gamper’s training complex for the first time since reversing his decision to leave the club this summer, and Manchester City are said to be the favorites to sign him at some point.
The 33-year-old was apparently desperate to leave as he cited broken promises and a clause in his contract that he felt was valid and would allow him to leave with a free transfer.
After confirming that he would stay and look at the last year of his contract, Messi told Goal.com: “I wanted to leave because I was thinking about living my last years of football happily.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“Lately, I have not found happiness within the club.
“I will continue at Barça and my attitude will not change no matter how much I have wanted to go. I will do the best I can.”
But upon his return to training on Monday, Mundo Deportivo reports that Messi arrived half an hour before his teammates as he sought to set an example and show them that he was back on board.
The report adds that Messi, who did some fitness work with Philippe Coutinho, was taken aside by Koeman for a private chat in what was their first conversation since Messi had told the Dutchman that he wanted to leave.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Koeman is reported to have told Messi that he was happy that he would stay at the club, and that while the idea that he would not receive “special treatment” was still valid, he would obviously treat him with the respect his talents deserve.
Messi is said to have responded well to the talks and promised his new boss that he will be fully focused on getting back to his best form in what could well be his final season at the club.
Will this be Messi’s last season at the club? Give your opinion in the comments below.
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