Pochettino: It's obvious that everyone would want to play with Messi
The PSG coach spoke about the criticism of his players comments on the Barça star
Lionel Messi, whose Barcelona contract ends on June 30, has been the focus of a number of rumours linking him with a summer move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Angel Di Maria and Neymar have both talked in favour of bringing Messi to Paris, with the former saying there's a "big chance" it could happen.
Neymar, meanwhile, who will miss PSG's game against Barça next week through injury, said in December that what he wants most is to play with Messi again.
Ronald Koeman has called the PSG campaign disrespectful but coach Mauricio Pochettino has defended his players.
"It's acceptable for Di Maria to express a desire to play with Messi," the Argentine told Spanish radio. "If they ask him about, what's he going to say? It's obvious that everyone would want to play with Messi, so it's not disrespectful to Barça (to say that).
"We shouldn't take things out of context. Messi's a competitive machine, he's an animal. But we have to have respect for all players that are at other teams. Speaking about them doesn't help."
NEW FC BARCELONA PODCAST IN ENGLISH
Topics with the letter
