Koeman finally reveals his first conversation with Barcelona Captain Leo Messi: 'He was clear about his dissatisfaction'

Messi wanted to leave the club but Barcelona didn't let him go.

Since the day it became clear that Leo won't leave, the player has been as dedicated as always, Koeman says.

"After I signed here as a coach, I contacted Leo Messi directly. I went to his house and talked to him about his future. He was clear about his dissatisfaction," Ronald Koeman has told NOS.

"In the end, it worked out, and from the moment he said 'I'm going for it', he has done everything I expected him to do."

As a reminder, Messi wanted to leave Barcelona last summer, but Josep Maria Bartomeu refused to sell the player for anything below his €700m release clause. As a result, the Argentine stayed.

Leo's contract expires in June 2021, meaning that he can sign a pre-agreement with a new club already in January.