Luis Enrique responds to Edgardo Bauza criticism

Luis Enrique Martinez faces the media during his official presentation as the new coach of FC Barcelona at Camp Nou on May 21, 2014
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Barcelona boss Luis Enrique refuses to be dragged into a war of words with Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza over Lionel Messi's recent groin problem.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has refused to be dragged into a war of words with Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza, who has criticised the Spanish club's handling of Lionel Messi.

Messi picked up a groin problem while on international duty earlier this month, but did not miss any club football and aggravated the injury in Barcelona's 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, which has left him facing three weeks on the sidelines.

Bauza has claimed that the Catalan giants "are not taking proper care" of Messi, but Enrique says that he would "rather not get involved in the merry-go-round of rumours" after being asked about Bauza's comments.

"The only truth in this story, because there are a lot of different opinions floating around, is we all seek the best for Messi and all the other players in the club," Enrique told reporters.

"That's the objective we are all looking for. It's always bad news when a player gets injured, dreadful news. The best player in the world getting injured is bad news for us and anyone who enjoys watching good football. But I would rather not get involved in the merry-go-round of rumours that would only aggravate the situation further."

Barcelona currently sit third in La Liga ahead of Saturday's trip to Sporting Gijon.

Lionel Messi reacts to Nando's goal during the Champions League quarter-final between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on April 5, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid6420156914
2Barcelona64111961313
3Atletico MadridAtletico63301221012
4Villarreal633094512
5Athletic Bilbao640296312
6Sevilla6321119211
7Las PalmasLas Palmas63121411310
8EibarEibar631286210
9AlavesAlaves62317529
10Real Betis6222811-38
11Real Sociedad621389-17
12Celta Vigo621358-37
13Leganes6213610-47
14Sporting GijonSporting Gijon6213514-97
15Valencia6204912-36
16Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo612335-25
17Malaga612358-35
18Espanyol6123914-55
19Granada6024715-82
20Osasuna6024513-82