Home
The Argentine reportedly required painkillers before the Clasico and his coach has made his feelings on the subject clear despite leaving all decisions to the medical staff
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique believes his players should avoid taking pain-killing injections after reports that Lionel Messi required treatment prior to the Clasico on Saturday.
Reports in the Spanish media have emerged suggesting the Argentina ace required the treatment before the 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid due to ankle problem.
While his coach admitted Messi was suffering from a minor knock, he refused to discuss openly the medical concerns of his players - though he did fire a warning when it comes to preventative pain-killers.
"That is for the medics," he said when asked about the reports. "If he needs an injection that is their decision - it is something for the medics and the player. I don’t know, but he was 100 per cent fit for the game.
"My advice is to avoid injections. Some injections can fix you, but you [reporters] know my clear recommendation. He’s got a knock, but he is OK, he is better.
"Medical issues are private matters for the player in question."
Messi failed to score against Madrid, meaning the wait goes on for him to break the all-time La Liga goal record, but Luis Enrique is more concerned by his side's results.
"We started with a lot of records and the possibility for more. We are interested in the collective and that’s more important than any individual objective," he said.
Jeremy Mathieu claimed after the match on Saturday that he was "surprised" to have started at left-back, with Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano deployed at centre-half.
While Luis Enrique maintains responsibility for the defeat, he has made it clear Mathieu can expect to be utilised in different positions again this season.
"I’m generally self-critical and I feel responsible for bad results. Mathieu can play as a centre-back or a left-back. If he’s surprised to be at left-back we should pack up and go home," said the former Celta Vigo boss.
"I’m not worried about the defensive fragility of the team. We have been below our level and made clear mistakes. We are working to change things. We said there would be tough moments and there will be more. We will have better games too."
Luis Enrique also stresssed that Thomas Vermaelen is not yet fully fit to return, adding: "I don’t know what you are digging around for. He is in the process of recovering. It is not about taking a magic pill and getting better."
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique believes his players should avoid taking pain-killing injections after reports that Lionel Messi required treatment prior to the Clasico on Saturday.
Reports in the Spanish media have emerged suggesting the Argentina ace required the treatment before the 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid due to ankle problem.
While his coach admitted Messi was suffering from a minor knock, he refused to discuss openly the medical concerns of his players - though he did fire a warning when it comes to preventative pain-killers.
"That is for the medics," he said when asked about the reports. "If he needs an injection that is their decision - it is something for the medics and the player. I don’t know, but he was 100 per cent fit for the game.
"My advice is to avoid injections. Some injections can fix you, but you [reporters] know my clear recommendation. He’s got a knock, but he is OK, he is better.
"Medical issues are private matters for the player in question."
Messi failed to score against Madrid, meaning the wait goes on for him to break the all-time La Liga goal record, but Luis Enrique is more concerned by his side's results.
"We started with a lot of records and the possibility for more. We are interested in the collective and that’s more important than any individual objective," he said.
Jeremy Mathieu claimed after the match on Saturday that he was "surprised" to have started at left-back, with Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano deployed at centre-half.
While Luis Enrique maintains responsibility for the defeat, he has made it clear Mathieu can expect to be utilised in different positions again this season.
"I’m generally self-critical and I feel responsible for bad results. Mathieu can play as a centre-back or a left-back. If he’s surprised to be at left-back we should pack up and go home," said the former Celta Vigo boss.
"I’m not worried about the defensive fragility of the team. We have been below our level and made clear mistakes. We are working to change things. We said there would be tough moments and there will be more. We will have better games too."
Luis Enrique also stresssed that Thomas Vermaelen is not yet fully fit to return, adding: "I don’t know what you are digging around for. He is in the process of recovering. It is not about taking a magic pill and getting better."