Solari: Madrid’s new coach and a Messi fan

Former Real Madrid player Santiago Solari, who also managed the club’s reserve team, has been put in charge as the caretaker manager following the sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui.

The new Real Madrid coach has always been a vocal supporter of compatriot Lionel Messi, who plays for arch rivals FC Barcelona. Before he was coaching the Real reserve team, he used to work as a columnist and there he expressed his views on Messi.

"Soccer is intrinsic to Messi in the same way that storms, lightning, or hurricanes, are atmospheric phenomena. Every time Messi receives the ball the earth shakes, everyone is silent and rival coaches sink their heads between their shoulders and put their hands in their pockets, like someone who has just seen lightning and has no choice but to wait the thunder,” Solari had written.

Messi’s brilliance touches everyone and even rival coaches and players take note. Solari was no different.

"The air trembles a few seconds and then the goal is heard,” he wrote.

In 2016, the now Real coach had even expressed a desire to see Messi play in Real Madrid colours.

"Messi has marked an era and unfortunately for us, it is in Barcelona," he had told ESPN. "I wish it could had been here, at Real Madrid. The Ballon d'Or award is Messi's, it is more than deserved and I'm happy as an Argentine.

"Real Madrid want to have the best, but unfortunately they couldn't have Messi, although we have great players."