"We love the fact that he follows the team" - When Hansi Flick responded to Lionel Messi's comments on Barcelona

In comments made in November this year, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick responded to Lionel Messi's remarks about the team. The Argentine great is widely believed to be one of the greatest players ever to play the sport and is undoubtedly the best player ever to represent the Blaugrana.

Messi began his career with the Catalan club, coming through its famed La Masia youth ranks to represent the club on the pitch 778 times before his departure in 2021. He is the highest goal-scorer and assists-provider at the club with 672 goals and 303 assists.

Despite his departure, he has continued to follow and encourage the club. His support is widely appreciated by the club's current manager, Hansi Flick, who told the press (via Reddit):

“It’s an honor that the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi, is saying good things about this Barça team. We love the fact that he follows the team. It means a lot to us that he holds the youngsters in the squad in such high regard.”

Barcelona have enjoyed a mixed campaign under Flick this year and currently sit in second place on the LaLiga table after 19 games. The Catalan side hope to regain the league title they last won in the 2022/23 season.

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"I'm hugely proud to see how the first team is representing the club right now" - When Lionel Messi expressed his pride for Hansi Flick's Barcelona

Speaking about his former side a month ago with TV3 (via ESPN), Lionel Messi said he is proud of how Hansi Flick's Barcelona have performed this season. The German tactician took over the Spanish giants this season and has the team in second place just before Christmas.

The Argentine legend said:

"I'm hugely proud to see how the first team is representing the club right now, This Barça side is spectacular, although it doesn't surprise me. It is nothing new, it's always happened, or at least since I arrived at the club as a 13-year-old. It's spectacular that the kids have had chances in the last two years and, when you put confidence in them, this is how they respond because they know the club better than anyone.

"They are used to playing this way since they were little. If you give them the opportunity, these things happen, as happened in our era."

Hansi Flick will hope he can continue impressing Lionel Messi with his team's performances on the pitch. However, he will have to get his side back in form following a poor run of form that has seen Barcelona fall to consecutive league defeats against Leganes and Atletico Madrid.