- Lionel Messi reportedly wants Lucas Digne to be sold by Barcelona
- Frenchman not matching high standards set by Jordi Alba in key role
- Report claims that Nelson Semedo is also under pressure to improve
- READ MORE: ‘Messi is football’ – Reaction as Barcelona superstar seals win with stunning late free-kick
According to reports, Lionel Messi has seen enough of Barcelona teammate Lucas Digne to decide that he thinks he should be sold.
The Frenchman arrived at the Nou Camp in 2016 following an impressive spell with Roma where he was a regular in the 2015/16 campaign during a loan stint from Paris Saint-Germain.
His form that year effectively paved the way for his move to Barcelona, but he made just 26 appearances in all competitions last season, while he’s been limited to 14 so far this year.
It’s been an underwhelming start to life with the Catalan giants in many respects for the 24-year-old, and according to Diario Gol, as re-reported by The Express, Messi believes that Barca can live without him and wants him offloaded.
As per the report, it’s suggested that an inability to match what Jordi Alba offers offensively is the major reason as to why Messi is frustrated with him, while Nelson Semedo is also singled out for criticism.
Given Alba is still 28 years of age, it’s not as if Barcelona need to be in a major rush to find a long-term replacement for him. In turn, keeping Digne and giving him time to develop his all-round game could be the more sensible strategy rather than looking to bring in a replacement for him and starting all over again with another individual.
However, if the report is to be believed, then Messi’s patience is wearing thin, and it’s unlikely to help Digne or Semedo’s confidence if speculation continues to suggest that the club’s iconic leader doubts their ability to successfully contribute to the team.
Based on his game-winning efforts on Sunday against Alaves, it arguably doesn’t make much difference to Messi anyway as he continues to lead Barcelona’s charge for major honours this season as they remain the La Liga title favourites with a healthy 11-point lead.