Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has hit out at Javier Faus
over comments the club vice president made questioning the need to improve the
Argentine World Player of the Year's contract.
In unusually strong language for the mild-mannered
26-year-old, Messi told Catalan radio broadcaster RAC1 Faus knew "nothing
about football" and denied demanding improved terms to the deal he signed
in February that ties him to the Spanish champions until June 2018.
Faus, who oversees economic affairs at Barca, told RAC1
this month he did not understand why Messi would need a better contract given
that he had only recently agreed a new one.
"Mr Faus is a person who knows nothing about
football and he wants to run Barcelona as if it were a company and it is
not," Messi said from Buenos Aires, where he is continuing his recovery
from a hamstring injury.
"Barcelona is one of the biggest clubs in the world
and deserves to be represented by the best managers as well," he added.
"And apart from that, I remind you that neither I
nor anyone in my circle has ever asked for either an increase (in salary) or a
contract renewal. And he (Faus) knows that very well."
"Mr Faus is a person who knows nothing about
football," - Lionel Messi
The spat between Messi and Faus is unlikely to have any
lasting repercussions, particularly as the player has denied wanting more
money.
Club president Sandro Rosell sought to calm the waters on
Thursday, telling reporters he had not discussed the issue of an improved
contract with Messi but adding that his office door was "wide open"
any time Messi wanted to talk.
"I have no doubt that Messi should be the best-paid
player in the world because he is the best footballer on the planet,"
Rosell said.
Messi's wages are the highest of any soccer player at up
to $21.2 million a year, according to a list compiled by Forbes magazine in
May.
He was the third-highest earner overall including
sponsorship deals behind number one David Beckham and second-placed Cristiano
Ronaldo.
Culled from Rte
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