Vives: Messi's treatment over his tax affairs was completely unfair LaLiga - Barcelona Club director discussed the Argentine in a press conference

Barcelona director Josep Vives didn't hold back when he claimed that the treatment of Argentina star Lionel Messi by the Spanish state over his tax affairs was completely unfair.

In 2016 the Blaugrana striker along with his father were given suspended jail sentences after being charged with tax fraud.

"We always said that the treatment Lionel Messi received was unfair, we defend him now and we defended him then", Vives said at a press conference.

Antoine Griezmann also appeared as a topic during the conference, but Vives was quick to shut down the question surrounding the Frenchman's potential move to the Camp Nou.

"I appreciate the question, but we will not talk about the market, our obligation is to be discreet, we have to stay calm, we get very hurt if we do not do that", he added.

"We also have to be respectful, we will not talk about the future of a player from another club, and even more so at this moment".

Lastly, Vives touched up on the renewal of La Masia product Riqui Puig, who has signed a three-year-deal with the Catalan club.

"The renewal of Riqui Puig is very satisfying, we are interested in retaining all the talent we have, which speaks of our commitment, sometimes successful and sometimes not, by the youth academies", he concluded.