Former Barcelona head coach Quique Setien believes Lionel Messi's desperation to win makes him hard to handle - just like NBA icon Michael Jordan.

Setien was sacked seven months into his Barcelona reign following August's disastrous 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich. Messi was critical of the team during Setien's spell, calling Barca "very weak" a month before the tactician's dismissal.

"It's true that there are players that are not easy to manage, among them, Leo," Setien told El Pais newspaper, as translated by ESPN's Sam Marsden. "It's difficult when someone is accustomed to winning.

"And when inside him, it generates an anxiety when you don't achieve that (win), it harms you. The demand that exists today in football is brutal, it has saturated him and others that need to permanently win."

Setien continued: "There's another facet beyond just the player and it's more difficult to manage. Much more difficult. It's something inherent in many athletes that can be seen in the Michael Jordan documentary ("The Last Dance"). You see things you don't expect.

"He (Messi) is very reserved and only shows you the things that he wants you to see. He doesn't speak much."

In August, Messi submitted an official request to cancel his Barcelona contract but withdrew his demand 10 days later to avoid a legal battle with the club. The artsy Argentine has since scored three goals and assisted twice across eight appearances in La Liga and Champions League action.

Despite Messi's remarkable exploits throughout his career, Setien stressed that no one is more important than the club and its followers.

"After my departure, one thing that is clear to me is that at certain times I should have taken other decisions but there's something above you: the club and the fans," Setien said. "They are above a president, a player, a coach. You owe the respect to them (fans) and you have to do what is most convenient for the club."