Unwanted Arturo Vidal SLAMS Barcelona for only having ’13 professionals’ and bringing in so many youth players… and claims ‘extraterrestrial’ Messi has been asked to carry the team on his own
- Barcelona are in a complete crisis following a trophyless 2019-20 season
- Arturo Vidal says they need more than ’13 professional players’ in the team
- The 33-year-old also slammed the number of young ‘DNA’ players in the squad
- The Chilean says wantaway star Lionel Messi needs help from better players
- Vidal, who could also leave the Nou Camp, said he would never join Real Madrid
Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal has hit out at his own club for only having ’13 professional players’, so many youth products in the first team and relying too heavily on Lionel Messi.
The Catalan club are in crisis following a trophyless season, compounded by the shock 8-2 Champions League quarter-final defeat by Bayern Munich earlier this month.
New manager Ronald Koeman is planning an overhaul of the squad, which is likely to see experienced stars like Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets make way for younger players, but Vidal claims that they need better players ready now rather than academy products.
Arturo Vidal has hit out at Barcelona for only having ’13 professional players’ in their squad
Speaking on YouTube, Vidal hinted that Barcelona have far too many young ‘DNA’ players
Vidal told Daniel Habif’s YouTube channel: ‘The last three years are not what a team like Barcelona deserves. The best team in the world cannot have 13 professional players. You cannot always win with DNA.’
Barca are famous for producing world-class talent at their La Masia academy with the likes of Messi, Gerard Pique and further back Xavi and Andres Iniesta graduating.
But Vidal’s rant appears to be that these days they have too many youth products promoted to the first team and not enough experienced pros he would trust beside him in the trenches.
The Chilean had sympathy for fellow South American Messi, who last week told Barca of his intention to leave. Manchester City is his most likely destination after almost 20 years in Catalonia.
‘(Lionel) Messi is the best in the world, an extraterrestrial, but he needs help so that better results can be achieved,’ Vidal added.
The Catalans lost the title to arch-rivals Real Madrid this summer, while they were also knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao earlier this year.
The Chilean could leave Barcelona this summer and has been linked with a move to Inter Milan
The 33-year-old claims wantaway star Lionel Messi (left) needs more help to get success
Vidal is another player who could end up leaving the Nou Camp this summer, with the 33-year-old midfielder linked with a move to Inter Milan.
When asked whether Barcelona’s players were ‘transferable’ this summer, Vidal said: ‘I have never understood placing the players with that word. It is very ugly.
‘If a player wants to leave or you want to sell him, find him a team but don’t say so. It is to pass it on, and each person needs respect.’
Vidal (right) confirmed he would never join rivals Real Madrid due to the respect for Barca fans
Luis Suarez is set to leave Barcelona as new boss Ronald Koeman rings the changes
Koeman (pictured) is planning for the future without Uruguayan striker Suarez
The Chilean midfielder issued a come-and-get-me-plea in the interview to clubs interested in his services from this summer.
However, Vidal confirmed that he would not sign for Real Madrid, as he has enjoyed a healthy relationship with the Barcelona faithful.
He added: ‘I am in a situation of being thrown away to see if someone wants to receive me.
‘I have earned the complete affection of the people of Barcelona, that is why I would not play for Real Madrid.
Sergio Busquets is another long-serving Barcelona player who could be on his way out
