Ronald Koeman claims that the clip was taken out of context.
Barca coach Ronald Koeman took no time in defending his star man after a recent clip showing him walking around against Dynamo Kiev on Thursday.
The clip showed Messi walking past the ball with no intention of winning it back from a Dynamo Kiev defender.
‘I didn’t seem him [walking] and I’m not interested in this because I don’t see him walking,’ said the Dutchman at a press conference on Friday.
‘If you want to start a controversy around this point, it’s your problem.
‘Messi is mentally good, enjoying this sport. He’s a winner and sometimes you go through moments when the ball doesn’t go in, but he looks really focused on that subject.
‘I think Messi still has so many qualities. He’s very important in our game. He scored the penalty and we’re used to him making the difference here, and he’s still a very decisive player.
‘You said [the footage was from] the 93rd minute – there are pictures of anyone, of me when I’m sitting down, or annoyed.
‘It seems we should be more aware of our image than our work. I don’t agree with that.
‘I think these players, like those of my era, have the same effort as us.
‘They work in training, they want to win and it annoys them when they don’t win. If it were not like this, it’d be because my work isn’t working.’
See More:Â 10 Worst Barcelona signings: Top 10 worst Barcelona transfers!
