Barcelona defender confirms Lionel Messi and Luis Enrique's training ground argument

Barcelona's coach Luis Enrique looks at Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi during a training session

French professional footballer Jeremy Mathieu has divulged information about a heated altercation between Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi and coach Luis Enriqe in the club training sessions earlier this month. The Argentine captain has been variously speculated to have had a troubled relationship with the Catalonian coach.

There has been keen media interest about the duo’s difficult time together at the club since the coach came back to Camp Nou for the 2014-15 season. However, the club president Josep Bartomeu has claimed there being no tension between them. Mathieu, despite the prolific footballer and coach both having declined to discuss the matter publicly, has claimed that the argument took place after Messi’s return from the Christmas break when Enrique did not pick him for the match against Real Sociedad.

Exchange blown out of proportion because it is Barcelona: Mathieu

Goal has reported that the 31-year-old central defender told RMC: "It happened when we got back from our holidays. Suddenly, Leo lost his temper after a foul that was not given in training.

"Things got tense and they exchanged some angry words.

"Luis Enrique then approached him in the dressing room afterwards to talk to him and that was the end of it."

Nevertheless, Mathieu was quick to stress that there has been no fall out and added that such incidents happen at every club.

"These kinds of things happen everywhere, but it's made out to be a major thing because we are Barcelona. Things get blown out of proportion and that's the problem."

Despite the ongoing revelations, Lionel Messi has been enjoying a stellar season at Barcelona and has already scored 31 goals.