Antoine Griezmann's former mentor and agent has blasted Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi for his "deplorable attitude" towards his French teammate.
Tensions are running high at Camp Nou after Barca's poor start to the season sees them eighth in La Liga with just one win in their last five games.
Messi was dropped for their latest match - at home to Real Betis - but came off the bench to net twice in the 5-2 victory, with Griezmann also on the scoresheet.
The forward duo were seen celebrating during the victory in Sevilla but all is not well between them, according to Eric Olhats.
Griezmann's former advisor claims Messi has made the World Cup winner feel unwelcome in Catalonia since his £107million transfer from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019.
"Antoine arrived in a struggling club where Messi has a view on everything," Olhats told France Football . "He’s at the same time emperor and monarch, and he didn’t see Antoine’s arrival with a good eye.
"His attitude has been deplorable, he made him feel that. I’ve always heard Antoine say there’s no problem with Messi, but never the other way around.
Has Lionel Messi's huge influence become a problem in the Barcelona set-up? Have your say here.
"In my eyes, Messi said he wanted to leave [ last summer ] to see what role he still had as a decision-making player, regarding the players who arrived and those who left, but he eventually stayed. Classic Messi! As good on the pitch as he is bad off it
“ Barcelona has been suffering for a while. There was a cancer in that club, and it obviously leaves some marks.”
Griezmann has failed to live up to his price tag since his big-money move to Barcelona, but Olhats insists his client is not at fault for his meagre tally of 17 goals.
He added: “It’s the club that’s sick, not him. Last year, when Antoine arrived, Messi didn’t talk to him, didn’t pass him the ball. He created a real trauma for a more than negative adaptation.
“That clearly left its mark. It was clear and visible. Add to that the president stepping down, the club conceding eight against Bayern and three different managers, the conditions aren’t good.”
Olhats' comments come at a time of turmoil at Barcelona, with Messi being criticised for a perceived lack of effort and France boss Didier Deschamps claiming Griezmann is unhappy.
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