Published 08:57 IST, November 1st 2019
LaLiga: Pique categorically dismisses Messi-Griezmann rift rumours
Gerard Pique has denied the rumours of a rift between Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann. It is believed that Messi wanted Neymar at Camp Nou & not Griezmann.
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FC Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique insists Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann have a normal relationship. The former Spain defender was quick to put an end to rumours regarding a feud between his two attacking teammates. According to some Spanish media reports, Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann are not on good terms and share a frosty relationship. Griezmann joined the Catalan giants from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019, but there have been rumours of a rift with Messi ever since.
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Messi wanted Neymar back at Camp Nou
In October 2019, Griezmann admitted to finding it difficult to connect with Barca's superstar captain as neither of them are naturally big talkers. When asked by Spanish media about the controversy, Pique stated that Messi gets along with Griezmann the way as he did with Ousmane Dembele or Pedro or David Villa in the past. He went on to clarify that just because Messi doesn’t get along with Griezmann as he does with Luis Suarez, it does not mean they get along badly. Even the Barcelona captain has reportedly branded the rumours a lie and insisted he has no problem with Griezmann. It had been rumoured that Messi, who hoped for Neymar's return, objected to the club's pursuit of the France international ahead of the Brazilian forward.
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Barca are on top of LaLiga
Messi and Suarez starred for Barca in their last outing on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, in a comprehensive 5-1 win over Real Valladolid. The Spanish champions sit on the top of the LaLiga, a point ahead of Real Madrid, but there will no showdown between the bitter rivals until December 18, 2019, following the postponement of the season's first El Clasico.
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Updated 15:20 IST, November 1st 2019