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Former Barcelona assistant coach Juan Carlos Unzue has said that some players are unable to bear the stress of playing with the club’s talisman, Lionel Messi.
Unzue, who was Luis Enrique’s assistant between 2014 and 2017 at the Camp Nou, said that the standards demanded by the Argentine are too much for some teammates.
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“What has Messi kept [where he is] it’s ambition and how to live with times of stress, “he told the YouTube channel Idolos.
“He demands of himself to continue being the best and, therefore, he also wants the best around him, colleagues, physiotherapist or coach. This produces great stress that some colleagues are not able to bear.”
Messi nearly left Barca in the latest transfer window amid speculation about a move to Manchester City and many expect him to leave the club when his contract expires in June.
Unzue, 53, said the situation surprised him.
“The truth is that I was surprised that Messi wanted to leave but, knowing the club and Leo, I understand that he may have very, very important reasons for making this decision.
“What he was convinced of was that if he stayed in the end, he would give his best and keep his ambitions.
“[Barcelona coach Ronald] Koeman is managing Messi and the group well, and the situation is not easy, although I think that entering a great club that has won titles is more complicated when they have stopped winning.
“When we arrived with Luis Enrique we did it after a year the team had not won anything.
“That is happening to Koeman now, it comes at a difficult time, but if it is not a difficult time, he does not receive the call to become Barcelona coach.”
Barça languish in ninth place in La Liga, 12 points behind leader Atlético de Madrid after 10 games and six points behind arch-rival Real Madrid, albeit one game less.
