'I've had no complaints about him on any day': Koeman praises Messi's commitment to Barcelona after transfer saga

Leo's transfer request was denied by Barca in the summer. It hasn't affected his mindset for a second, according to the boss.

Koeman is now even more convinced that Messi is the best player in the world.

“From day one Leo has trained and played well and has given the maximum for the club, for his team and for his teammates and I have had no complaints about him on any day,” Ronal Koeman said on Saturday.

“He proved himself once again the other day against Celta, he pulled his weight as a captain, he helped the team play the ball out from the back because it’s so important to keep the ball when you have one less player.

“There’s no debate, for me he has always been the best player in the world, I thought that before from the outside and I think it even more now I’m working with him. He’s fully committed, he’s an example to everyone as a captain should be.”

Lionel Messi handed in a transfer request at Barcelona in August. He wanted to leave the Catalans on a free transfer under a clause in his contract which allows him to do so at the end of each season.

The club, however, refused to let him go. The 33-year-old didn't want to take the case to court and will stay at Camp Nou for at least one more season. Messi is out of contract in the summer of 2021.