Barcelona director, Pere Gratacos‘s recent remark about Lionel Messi has cost him his job.
Shortly after Friday’s Copa del Rey draw in Madrid, Gratacos told reporters. “Leo is one of the most important people in the team, but it’s not just about him. He would not be as good without Andres Iniesta, Neymar and company, but Messi is the best.”
 
Not long after that, Barcelona released a statement confirming that Gratacos, who once coached Messi during his spell at La Masia, had been sacked
“FC Barcelona have dismissed Pere Gratacos as head of institutional sporting relations with the Royal Spanish Football Federation for having publicly expressed a personal opinion that does not match that of the club after the draw for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey held today in Madrid.
“The decision has been taken by Albert Soler, director of professional sports, who will assume these functions directly from now on.”
The Argentine’s contract expires in 2018 and his club are keen to make him commit his future to Camp Nou.