Backe reveals how Messi disobeyed Guardiola in front of Barcelona team-mates

Former New York Red Bulls boss Hans Backe, has revealed how Lionel Messi delibrately defied Pep Guardiola’s orders, in front of his Barcelona team-mates.

Backe has never had any direct association with the La Liga team, but was in charge of former Barca players Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez, although he refused to divulge the source of his information.

He told Sweden’s TV4: “It was three hours before the game when all the players were sitting and eating, and Messi said he wanted a can of coke,” he said.

“Guardiola replied that no player should drink cola three hours before a game.

“So Messi got up and left, returned a few minutes later with a can of cola and drank it right in front of Guardiola and the rest of the team.

“Imagine what would have happened when a player with the profile of Messi goes against the coach in this way?

“It was a war Guardiola could not win; it was impossible.”