The Camp Nou coach believes the relentless commentary from within the club's ranks about the Argentine's future is an unhelpful distraction
Ronald Koeman has told Barcelona senior figures to stop making public declarations about the touchy subject of Lionel Messi's future.
The head coach spoke out after interim president Carlos Tusquets said this week the club should have sold Messi during the close season.
Candidates for the Barcelona presidency have also spoken at length about the 33-year-old Argentinian, but Koeman believes it is unhelpful for such figures to fuel speculation.
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At the same time, Koeman said in his news conference on Friday that Barcelona supporters would always want to have the best players at the club, in response to Neymar's suggestion he wished to be reunited with Messi.