Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has refused to back striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and hinted the Sweden star may be in for an exit before the transfer window closes.
Coach Pep Guardiola repeatedly declined to answer questions on the player’s situation on Saturday, claiming it would be better for the club if he kept quiet.
Ibrahimovic joined Barca from Inter last year in a big-money move, with Samuel Eto’o going the other way.
The deal cost the Catalans around €66 million in total and the striker failed to convince in his first season at the Nou Camp.
The Swede lost his place at the end of last season and his future has come under further scrutiny since the signing of Spain striker David Villa earlier this summer.
Villa, like Ibrahimovic, began on the bench against Sevilla in the second leg of the Supercopa on Saturday.
But while Villa came on with just over half an hour to go, Ibrahimovic was an unused substitute.
The Swede refused to celebrate with the trophy after the match and received only lukewarm support from Zubizarreta, the man now in charge of the hiring and firing of the playing staff at the Nou Camp.
“He has a contract and he’s our player – for the moment,” the former Barca keeper said in an interview.
Asked about possible new signings, including Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano, he replied: “There is no change from last week.
“We have a great squad which we can complete with (some) important players.”
Barca beat Sevilla 4-0 on the night to overturn the 3-1 deficit from the first leg and claim the Super Cup. Messi scored his seventh hat-trick for the club, while the opener came from an own-goal.
It was a first trophy for Barca under new president Sandro Rosell, an eighth for Guardiola and a welcome return to form for Messi following his World Cup disappointment with Argentina.
“We have taken another important trophy after overcoming a difficult scoreline (from the first leg),” Messi told TVE after the match.
“The fans enjoyed themselves with our attractive play.”
Guardiola, meanwhile, was delighted with the performance from his side so early in the season, but believes the team can continue to get better.
“We did really well and we didn’t let Sevilla play, but we still have a lot of hard work ahead,” he said after the match.
“We moved the ball around well and played out from the back, but it’s too early to assess what will happen in the season.”
And the Barca coach believes debutant Villa will prove to be an important asset for the club.
“He will be great for us. He knows how to play inside and outside of the area – he has enormous versatility,” Guardiola said.