Barcelona’s defeat to Real Sociedad has triggered a wave of controversy, but the real shock came after the final whistle. Lionel Messi has reportedly delivered a scathing verdict on one of the current Barcelona starters, placing both the player and head coach Hansi Flick under intense scrutiny.

According to reports circulating close to the club, Messi privately warned Flick about the player well before the match. Despite those concerns, the coach chose to keep faith in him, a decision Messi believes directly contributed to the loss. Sources claim Messi was blunt in his assessment, suggesting that Flick ignored clear warning signs and is now repeating the same mistake.

Messi is said to feel that the player in question disrupts the team’s balance and undermines the collective effort on the pitch. In his view, the individual performances are not matching Barcelona’s standards, and continued selection only puts more strain on teammates who are compensating for those shortcomings. The criticism goes as far as questioning whether the player deserves to be in the starting eleven at all.

The reaction among Barcelona supporters has been one of disbelief. Fans are divided between backing Flick’s authority and siding with Messi’s football judgment, which still carries enormous weight inside and outside the club. The situation has intensified pressure on Flick, who is already navigating the challenges of rebuilding while meeting expectations for immediate results.

There are also growing whispers of tension within the dressing room. When a figure of Messi’s stature expresses frustration, it rarely goes unnoticed by players and staff. Whether the comments were meant as constructive criticism or a warning, they have clearly added another layer of complexity to Barcelona’s already turbulent season.

The identity of the player Messi was referring to remains unconfirmed, but speculation continues to spread rapidly. Until clarity emerges, the debate will rage on, with one question dominating discussions among fans and pundits alike: who is the player Messi believes should not be starting for Barcelona?