Barcelona sold 'drunk' Ronaldinho and Deco to protect Messi | OneFootball

Alexander Hleb says Barcelona sold Ronaldinho and Deco to ‘protect’ Lionel Messi’ due to them turning up to training drunk.

Both players were established first team stars at Barça but were later sold under Pep Guardiola before their incredible era of success.

Hleb joined the LaLiga giants in 2008 – when Guardiola was first appointed – and recalls Ronaldinho and Deco lacking professionalism.

“Ronaldinho and Deco often came to training drunk,” he told V OKA TV.

“That’s why Ronaldinho and Deco were sold in 2008 – because they were afraid they would bring down Lionel Messi.”

The 38-year-old also admits that joining Barça was a turning point in his career after enjoying success at Arsenal.

“Frankly, I initially did not want to go to Barcelona at all,” he added. “I wanted to go to Bayern Munich or stay at Arsenal.

“But the agents were telling me to go as it was Guardiola who was calling. It was certainly a turning point.”

Although Hleb has not officially retired from football, he was released by BATE Borisov in June and is without a club.