Barcelona: Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann don't get along?

If Barcelona's current form is not worrying enough, reports suggest there's a possible rift between their two star forwards - Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi. According to Spanish media reports, Messi and Griezmann were seen avoiding eye contact during training, suggesting that the pair aren't even on speaking terms. 

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Barcelona: Antoine Griezmann's struggles

Antoine Griezmann has so far failed to impress since joining Barcelona from Atletico Madrid in July. He has been used predominantly in a side role, which has naturally affected his output as he has scored just four goals in 14 matches in all competitions, firing blanks in his last four outings. Griezmann did play Barcelona's last two matches where the LaLiga champions lost 1-3 to Levante before a goalless home draw against Slavia Prague in the Champions League.

Also read | Valverde Accepts Barcelona Under Pressure After Slavia Stalemate

Lionel Messi vs Antoine Griezmann

All season long, there were several speculations that there's an ongoing rift between Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi. And despite Gerard Pique's recent comments to squash any such rumours, the onfield chemistry between the duo tell a different story altogether. The most evident show of Messi's distrust of Griezmann came during the 35th minute during the game vs Slavia Prague when Messi preferred embarking on a solo run from the halfway line, instead of passing the ball to Griezmann. Messi could have easily found the Frenchman but rather opted to take a shot himself, which was picked up by Slavia keeper Ondrej Kolar. An interesting stat highlights this very trust issue where throughout the match, only four passes were made between Messi and Griezzman, three of which came from Messi to the Frenchman.

Fans were quick to point out a certain Messi-Griezmann rift

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Lionel Messi's trust issues with Griezmann

The reports state that neither Messi or Luis Suarez, seem to have forgotten Griezmann's decision to stay at Atletico Madrid last year and the way he announced it through a documentary. The report further adds that it often seems that Suarez and Messi are just ignoring the Frenchman. And now, a video emerging where Messi and Griezmann don't even speak in training, just adds further fuel to that fire. Certainly not the kind of chemistry supporters expected to see, especially four months into the season. 

 

Also read | LaLiga: Pique Categorically Dismisses Messi-Griezmann Rift Rumours