Lionel Messi Pizza Allegations Denied by Ex-Barcelona Boss Carles Rexach

Former Barcelona manager Charly Rexach has denied giving an interview to Catalan newspaper Regio 7 in which he is alleged to have suggested Lionel Messi ate too much pizza last season.

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Messi Has 'No Problems' with Rexach

Thursday, Mar. 5

Rexach confirmed he has spoken to Messi after reports of his alleged comments. He told Canal+ (h/t Miles Chambers of Goal.com): "I spoke with Messi, yes. We talked about the pizza comments, yes. Messi and I have no problems with each other whatsoever."

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Rexach Denies Giving Controversial Interview

Monday, Mar. 2

Rexach, who racked up over 300 games on the Barca wing, suggests a casual meeting with the club's supporters was manipulated to create the story, as he explained to RAC 1 (h/t Marca).

"They have made an interview out of an informal dinner I had in August or September with Barcelona fans," he said. "I had no idea where the article had come from but after asking the club to look into it, they told me it was from then. The truth is, it's out of order."

Fichajes tweeted an image of Rexach sitting behind Messi:

Sport revealed the alleged Rexach quote on the player: "I think that last season he ate more pizzas than he should have done or was necessary." Previously, Messi was shown to have ordered a pizza as part of his post-match meal after the side's draw with Malaga in September, per Libertad Digital (h/t David Kent of the MailOnline).

Rexach, Barca's sporting director, moved to reaffirm his position. Further comments were reported by Marca:

"

I have never given an interview with Regio 7. This is something I am not happy about as it has complicated things for me.

I haven't spoken to anybody at the club because they know me perfectly well. If needs be, I will go there and explain but I know that they will say, 'Charly, no worries, we know you well.'

"

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Marca's article suggests Rexach "made various controversial statements" during the dinner. He reportedly said youngster Gerard Deulofeu "is good, but maybe he believes it a little too much," and he also allegedly said that "you don't notice" midfielder Sergi Roberto when he plays, with "the same" now happening to summer signing Ivan Rakitic, per Sport. 

The report quotes Rexach as believing Luis Enrique has "too many rules," among other comments on Pep Guardiola and Johan Cruyff. MailOnline tweeted another potential tidbit:

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets played down the revelation of Rexach's reported quotes, suggesting the club won't let outside influences affect its chemistry. "As always, what comes from outside the dressing room is not important," said the Spaniard, per Alex Casanovas of AS. "Rexach said this at a dinner. It comes from the outside and we don't give any importance to what he said."

Much of Messi's inconsistent form last year appeared to be due to the injuries he suffered leading into 2014. He has hit his stride since losing the 2014 Ballon d'Or vote to Cristiano Ronaldo, however. Barca are just two points behind leaders Real Madrid in La Liga, led by Messi.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Sport suggests members of the club have been thrown out "for much less" than Rexach's alleged comments. The man himself indicates he is willing to work with the Blaugrana to prove his reported interview never took place.

Lluis Busquets, who reportedly carried out the face to face, says, "Rexach gave us his go-ahead in October to publish it," per Marca. "We did it with Enric Calcada in a dinner and chat in Girona." If anyone was indeed present, it could be crucial to hear them confirm or deny claims.

As Sergio's comments suggest, Barca aren't going to let such irritations disturb them. Enrique has his team pushing for the title and leading Manchester City in the Champions League round of 16. A Copa del Rey final clash with Athletic Bilbao is also approaching in what could turn out to be a trophy-laden end to the season.

Considering Messi, Enrique and those at Barcelona are professionals who have to deal with criticism on a daily basis, it's unlikely they will take notice of Rexach's alleged comments. The club's reaction, or lack thereof, will be telling.