De Boer: Messi must listen to Luis Enrique

Posted Tuesday, October 21, 2014 by Goal.com

The Argentine international apparently refused to be substituted while chasing the all-time Liga goalscoring record in Saturday's Liga win over Eibar

Frank de Boer says that just because Lionel Messi is the best player in the world, it does not mean that the Barcelona superstar can ignore his coach's instructions.

It has been reported in Spain that the Argentina international refused to be substituted during Saturday's Liga win over Eibar.

Barca boss Luis Enrique has played down the significance of the incident but De Boer believes that even a player as great as Messi has to do as he is told.

"He is the best in the world and will be for many more years," the Ajax boss told reporters on the eve of Tuesday's Champions League meeting with the Blaugrana at CAmp Nou.

"Leo also has great experience so he knows how he is physically. but when the coach says one thing, you have to listen."

De Boer, of course, spent four years lining out alongside Luis Enrique during their respective playing careers and the former defender still holds his old Barca team-mate in the highest esteem.

"He was one of the captains of the team, a fighter, a winner and an athlete who always gave 200 per cent," the Dutchman enthused. "He was an example to follow."

Barca have made a fine start to life under Luis Enrique, who succeeded Gerardo Martino at the helm during the summer.

However, even though the Liga leaders are undefeated domestically, they were beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in their last Champions League outing and De Boer believes Ajax can spring a surprise in Catalunya.

"We can get a result in this game," he declared.

"We saw last year that we can get something from such games. But for that we have to perform at our maximum.

"Barcelona are of a higher level compared to us and have more experience.

"For every team playing here it is difficult to collect points - but we will try."