It appears that things are not at all rosy and bright in the land of FC Barcelona.
Only a day after star Lionel Messi missed Monday's open training session with an alleged case of gastroenteritis, he chose to train alone amid mounting reports, the latest from ESPN FC, that Messi and Barca head coach Luis Enrique are at odds.
The two mean allegedly argued both before and after the team's 1-0 La Liga defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad - a game which Messi watched from the bench.
"Widespread reports in Spain say Enrique wanted to fine Messi for Monday's no-show, but was persuaded by senior players including Xavi Hernandez not to make a big deal of the incident, and the club allegedly used the excuse of gastroenteritis to attempt to cover for his absence," ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan wrote.
It appears things have gone even a step farther, as the Catalan daily Sport's cover deemed the issues between the two men to be a "rupture."
And AS, Madrid's major news site, claims that Messi has already offered an ultimatum to the club.
"In Madrid, AS claims that the four-time Ballon d'Or winner, who continues to be linked with Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester City, has already given a "He goes or I go" ultimatum to Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu."
Former Barca president Joan Gaspart said on Al Partido de las 12 radio show that he feels the issues between the two men are either nonexistent or greatly overblown.
"I do not believe that the relationship between Messi and the coach is bad," Gaspart said. "I will believe it when Messi or Luis Enrique tell me personally.
"I am going to sleep very relaxed that my great superstar, the man I signed myself, Leo Messi, and Luis Enrique are good companions and the only differences are the typical ones which I experienced in 25 years as a Barcelona director
"I do not believe they are unhappy, or fighting. If they are it would be for a small matter, which I do not even believe."
Whether or not the issues run deeper is debatable, but what isn't is the fact that there would be a large number of teams, with Real Madrid and Chelsea standing out as two of the few able to actually afford Messi's massive contract, interested in acquiring the 27 year old superstar in a transfer window move.
