Tension between Messi and Pique?

According to the Spanish television programme, "Lionel Messi and Gerard Piqué don't talk at all any more."

The tension between the two mainstays of the Valverde team has been reported to be growing, and it could get even worse if the results don't go their way.

According to the programme, Piqué doesn't appreciate it when Lionel Messi doesn't speak to the media despite it being a part of his role as captain, especially given the difficulties faced by the team in recent times.

"Pique doesn't like Messi not going to defend his team when they have bad results. He would say that Messi only speaks when he is not in Europe, when he is in Argentina," says the Spanish programme.

Piqué is believed to have put these criticisms to Messi's face. However, the Argentine is believed to have responded by telling him that criticising the defender, namely in the number of goals Barcelona have conceded recently.

Barcelona are in the midst of a crisis due to three consecutive games without a win, and this seems to have an increasingly negative impact on the behaviour of Ernesto Valverde's players.

After a draw against Girona, another against Athletic Bilbao and a defeat against Leganes, the situation seems more tense than ever in Barcelona, and the players seem to be starting to put pressure on each other.