Former FC Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman has criticized Joan Laporta for letting go Lionel Messi, accusing the president of wanting to save face by bringing the Argentine back to the club which he doubted will happen in an interview with ESPN in his homeland the Netherlands.

Koeman is an eternal Barca club legend for scoring the winning free kick in their first ever Champions League win against Sampdoria at Wembley in 1992.

More recently, however, the Dutchman was dismissed by Laporta in October 2021 after a poor run of results as head coach and replaced by fellow iconic midfielder Xavi Hernandez who now has the Blaugrana on the cusp of their maiden La Liga title triumph in four years.

In an appearance on Dutch television, Koeman, as the Netherlands head coach, was asked a string of questions on the domestic championship and compatriot players.

Naturally, however, the conversation switched to Barca and Messi, who could potentially return to Catalonia when his Paris Saint Germain contract expires on June 30.

"I knew he was very good, but then you see so many moments in a training session where he has two eyes at the front and also two eyes at the back," Koeman began about coaching the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"He has so much peace. He scans everything around him and knows it. That was a pleasure to work with him for a year and a half. Sure, we all have an idea of Messi - how good he is and was. But he also had to defend in training. He could do that too. With a sliding tackle, because he is an Argentine who can play with a knife between the teeth. But the whole being and the feeling and seeing situations: I haven't seen a better one [than him]."

Asked if he himself would bring Messi back, Koeman answered: "No, I don't think so. But that's purely down to the finances, because I'm surprised that everything goes on and on.

"They are going to renovate the stadium. They will play all season next year at the Montjuic, the Olympic stadium. I'm surprised what the club can still do financially, while they have so much guilt.

"And players have to give up, players have to accept contracts that are normally much higher at Barcelona. And Messi will not come back for a hundred euros, and I don't expect him to come back either.

"Sergio Busquets is leaving now," Koeman pointed out. "Jordi Alba is not sure if he will stay either, and they are very good friends. So I wouldn't be surprised if they go together to Inter Miami or Saudi Arabia [or] that he doesn't come back anyway. And the president wants to save face again, because he let him go."

Earlier this week, El Chiringuito in Spain reported that Messi has accepted a mouthwatering offer to join Al-Hilal in the Middle East alongside Busquets and Alba.

In the following days, however, Messi's father and agent Jorge Messi denied that their camp has an agreement with anyone.