Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport 

Barcelona star Clement Lenglet has contradicted rumours about a tense relationship between Lionel Messi and Antione Griezmann saying “dialogue comes little by little” but “you can talk about a lot of things with Messi”.

The comments came during an interview with local media as Clement, 24, prepares for two matches with France who are scheduled to face Moldova today (Thursday) and Albania on Sunday 17th November for 2020 EURO qualifiers.

When asked about a potential rift between Messi and French forward Griezmann, 28, after the two have been said to have a lack of chemistry on the pitch Clement said: “The same thing that happened to me is happening to Antoine. Dialogue comes little by little.

“Messi has a strong nucleus around him, he gets on very well with Luis Suarez, but he is very open and contact will come with time.

“You can talk about a lot of things with Messi, not just football, he helps us every day.”

As for Messi’s role in the changing room, Lenglet said: “When we arrive at Barcelona, he notices the things that you do but he is not the type of guy to give us orders or reprimand us.”

Clement spoke about the difficulties that a player has at Barcelona as “it is not easy to earn your place in a club like Barca because there are a lot of players that have as much experience as you.

“Barca has a very particular style of play which Antoine is not accustomed to. He needs time to adapt to feel his best on the pitch.”

Lenglet signed for Barcelona in the summer of 2018 and has made 59 appearances for the club.

He made his debut for World Cup champions France this year making four appearances for his country.

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