Barca midfielder Xavi said: "These words have surprised me a lot, because Edmilson is usually such a calm man.

"The first thing we must do is ask for an explanation from him. We'll talk with him and also with the people he is referring to. We need to address this, because it can change the spirit in the team in a big way."

Andres Iniesta also said: "The best thing to do is always to keep such talk within the dressing room. He's entitled to his opinion, but it is one that I do not agree with."