Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has rubbished rumours claiming that Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann have a poor relationship.

The two forwards have seen their partnership off the field called into question following comments made by Griezmann's former agent Eric Olhats, who criticised Messi's attitude and suggested that Griezmann's struggle to settle in was down the the 33-year-old.

Messi went public with comments about how he was tired of being blamed for problems at the club after touching back down in Barcelona following international duty, but Koeman has strongly denied that the talisman has any issue with Griezmann.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Barcelona's game with Atletico Madrid on Saturday, Koeman said: "We have to respect people like Leo Messi much more.

"After such a long journey, to ask him things about Antoine shows a lack of respect. It's an attempt from the media to create controversy. I have not seen any problem between Leo and Antoine."

Messi is still being linked with a historic move to Manchester City after Pep Guardiola committed his future to the Premier League giants, but the City manager has admitted that he would like to see Messi retire at Camp Nou.