Messi and Luis Enrique: One converstation, two different stories

Messi and Luis Enrique: One converstation, two different stories

The Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona is around the corner and it seems that every detail now counts, no matter how small. 

Without going any further, the conversation between Luis Enrique and Lionel Messi during Saturday's match between Barça and Eibar is being used to fan the flames ahead of next weekend's huge match.

Barça face the first 'big week' of the season, with important games against Ajax and Madrid in the space of a few days.

Luis Enrique, therefore, wants his players to be in top possible form and managing the fitness of his key players will be key to make sure they are as fresh as they can be for the upcoming games.

For that reason, after Messi's goal, which was the Blaugrana's third in their 3-0 win over Eibar, Lucho attempted to give his Argentine star a few minutes rest. 

CONVERSATION

However, Leo's goal had moved him just one behind Telmo Zarra's long standing record and he had 15 minutes left to try and level it - maybe even beat it.

So when Luis Enrique suggested the change, Messi said no, he was fine and that he preferred to continue.

Barça's No. 10 had been very active throughout the match and only the performance of Xabi Irureta, the visiting goalkeeper, had prevented him adding more goals to his tally.

After checking in with Leo and seeing that he was excited to reach Zarra's 251 goal target, Luis Enrique instead decided to take Neymar off.

So far, all this has been picked up by the television cameras... although each chain offers their own 'nuances'.

'TV3' stated that the conversation was in a positive tone and that Luis Enrique was happy for his player to continue in a bid to try and break the record on his home patch.

'La Sexta', though, ignored the gesture of Messi and claimed that he turned his back on his manager and that he does what he wants.

However, in the 'TV3' video, you can clearly see Messi puts his thumb up to Luis Enrique to say he is OK, with the Barça manager smiling in response. 

Fuel to heat the Clasico? In any case, here are both videos for you to judge for yourself.

This is the 'TV3' video:

This is the 'La Sexta' video: