Barcelona meeting with Eric Abidal after public conflict with Lionel Messi

Barcelona have called for a meeting with sporting director Eric Abidal, after a public row with club captain Lionel Messi, as the Frenchman questioned their work ethic.

This comes after the sacking of Ernesto Valverde, with Abidal questioning the players' work ethic under the former boss, stating that "The relationship between the coach and dressing room was always good, but there are things that as an ex-player I can sense. I told the club what I thought and we had to make a decision."

Barcelona's captain and legend of the game, Lionel Messi, responded to these claims through a post on Instagram, saying that everyone should be responsible for his or her own actions, saying that the players are "the first to acknowledge" it when they have not played well, whilst the "Those in charge of sporting direction should also face up to their responsibilities and above all take charge of their own decisions."

With his focus being on Abidal, he then goes on to tell the Frenchman to "give names" for those players that did not work hard enough instead of "feeding rumours" that are "not true".

With Barcelona having sacked Valverde in January, they went on to appoint Quique Setien, the former Real Betis manager, and so far, the intensity and hard-work has been unquestioned.