Messi helped Martino ink Barcelona managerial deal

London: Gerardo Martino may have appointed Barcelona`s new coach mainly due to his close links with Lionel Messi, according to new reports.

According to The Sun, the family of the world`s greatest player comes from the same Argentinian city Rosario as Martino and has ties with the new Nou Camp chief. The report said that Martino, who has signed a two-year deal with Barca, revealed that he had no doubts that Messi spoke with the club directors and he was also sure Messi`s father Jorge must also have had some weight in the decision. Last year, Messi had said that Tata was a great manager and the Argentinian side he coached had won the respect of everyone for the way it played the game. ANI