Former Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb has said the Catalans made the decision to sell Ronaldinho and Deco in 2008 to protect Lionel Messi from their influence, as the two would often turn up to training drunk.
Hleb spoke to Voka TV (h/t Goal), saying the Blaugrana were afraid the two would "bring down" Messi: "Ronaldinho and Deco came to training drunk. That's why Ronaldinho and Deco were sold in 2008. Because they were afraid that they would bring down Lionel Messi."
He also spoke about his time with the Catalans, saying he never wanted to join them in the first place:
"Frankly, I initially did not want to go to Barcelona at all.