Lionel Messi has said that Barcelona's players are now "more motivated" since the 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad on Jan. 4.

Messi and Barca coach Luis Enrique reportedly had a training-ground row before the loss at Anoeta in the side's first game of 2015. The Argentina captain missed training the day after the match, before fuelling speculation about his future at the club by saying he was not sure where he would be playing next season.

At that point, it seemed the turmoil could completely derail Barca's season and lead to Luis Enrique being sacked after just six months in the job. However, the team has bounced back superbly since then by winning their last 11 games in all competitions.

While many fans and pundits have put this turnaround down to a clearing of the air after hitting rock bottom in San Sebastian, Luis Enrique has maintained nothing big has changed and that such ups and downs always happen over the course of a season.