'It's not worth talking about Messi' - Setien

FT Desk

28 Oct 2022 20:55 BST
3 min read

Quique Setien has been reflecting on his seven-month spell in charge of Barcelona, and Lionel Messi doesn't come out too well…

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Setien replaced Ernesto Valverde as Barca coach in January 2020, but he was dismissed just seven months later after an 8-2 humbling by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Messi scored 31 goals and assisted 27 more in the season Setien was coach - although the first half of those came under Valverde - but the Argentine's influence at Camp Nou wasn't always a welcome one.

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15 years ago today, Lionel Messi did THIS 🐐pic.twitter.com/sLrnS12Jdo
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) April 18, 2022

"It's not worth talking about Messi," Setien told Spanish radio programme El Larguero. "Everyone should have his back. He was a permanent fixture for 14 years and that's what I remind myself of. I can't assess whether or not he disappointed me.

"There are things you like and others you don't and it's a constant battle. If he then goes and scores three goals in a game you can't say anything. There's always a player who costs you a little more to accept him as he is."

Setien has only recently returned to football following his Barca dismissal, replacing the Aston Villa-bound Unai Emery at Villarreal. He also took the chance to take aim at the Premier League.

READ: 'Unhinged' Tebas could cost Real Madrid and Barcelona millions

"Would I go to the Premier League if they paid me more?" he asked rhetorically. "Each to their own, you have to see what the circumstances are. In Lugo they came for me, and I stayed, I was comfortable there. My needs are my own, others can make their own choice."