Barcelona: Messi posts message to sacked coach Valverde
Following Ernesto Valverde's sacking as Barcelona head coach, star striker Lionel Messi took to social media with a farewell message.
Lionel Messi has taken to social media with a farewell message for former Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde, who was sacked by the LaLiga club on Monday.
Messi praises "top professional" and "top person"
"Thanks for everything, gaffer," Messi wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. "I'm sure everything will go well for you wherever you go because, as well as being a top professional, you're also a top person. Good luck and a big hug."
During Valverde's two and a half seasons in charge, a Barcelona side led by star striker Messi won two LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey and one Spanish Super Cup, but suffered painful Champions League knockout-stage exits to Roma and Liverpool in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
On an individual level, Messi claimed the 2019 Ballon d'Or and FIFA Best Player prize, in addition to the 2017/18 and 2018/19 LaLiga top-scorer and European Golden Shoe awards.
Setién Barcelona unveiling live with AS English
Valverde has been replaced at Barcelona by former Las Palmas and Real Betis coach Quique Setién, who was unveiling at the Camp Nou on Tuesday lunchtime. You'll find more on that here.