Lionel Messi hit back against Eric Abidal's assertions that Barcelona players were responsible for Ernesto Valverde's sacking.

Messi feels like he is getting unfairly blamed for Valverde's firing.

"I honestly don't like doing these things but everyone has to be responsible for their job and take responsibility for their decisions. When things don't go well on the pitch, the players are the first ones to recognise as much. Those in the sporting department at the club should also take responsibility for their actions and decisions. Finally, I think that when you speak about players, you should have to give names. If you don't, you're dirtying everyone's name and encouraging things which are said which are not true," Messi wrote on his Instagram stories in response to Abidal's interview.

"Many players were not satisfied or working a lot [under Valverde] and there was also an issue with internal communication," Abidal said earlier.

ESPN also reported that Messi has been playing with a thigh injury in recent weeks.