Messi to leave Barca?

[mwake]

I know this is improbable but the way we broke Barca and Messi, and the fact there were reports of him being verbally abused by angry Barca fans after the game (ungrateful) do you think Messi could do the unthinkable and leave Barca? It would be a massive coup but maybe on the surface, Barca should consider as they look like they could use the money for a rebuild just as we used the Coutinho money for a rebuild of our defence.

I mean he would command a massive fee (FFP rules aside) and the only team who could afford him would be Man City, but the thought crossed my mind that it could work out, Pep gets the player that he needs to finally get CL glory maybe.


Link to Reddit post

https://redd.it/bm9mxd

 

[bluebell]

I know this is improbable but the way we broke Barca and Messi, and the fact there were reports of him being verbally abused by angry Barca fans after the game (ungrateful) do you think Messi could do the unthinkable and leave Barca? It would be a massive coup but maybe on the surface, Barca should consider as they look like they could use the money for a rebuild just as we used the Coutinho money for a rebuild of our defence.

I mean he would command a massive fee (FFP rules aside) and the only team who could afford him would be Man City, but the thought crossed my mind that it could work out, Pep gets the player that he needs to finally get CL glory maybe.


Link to Reddit post

https://redd.it/bm9mxd

PSG, Real Madrid and Man Utd all could stump the 200m needed to sign him. He is 31 years Old

 

[StevieM]

PSG, Real Madrid and Man Utd all could stump the 200m needed to sign him. He is 31 years Old

... and still the best player in the world.

I’m happy to keep him where he is - isn’t worth thinking about how good Man Shitty would be with him replacing... say David Silva - that’s without taking into account how unbearable their fans would be if he signed for them.

I’d prefer Man Utd to sign expensive flops... rather than players they could actually construct a decent team around.

 

[RedStar]

Absolutely no chance, he will stay there for a few more years playing a deeper play maker role

 

[FoxForceFive]

He couldn't play for citeh. Ok, let's rephrase that, citeh under Guardiola would be weaker with him than without, so he wouldn't actually want him now.

Sounds outlandish, but as I said in the build up to these games, Messi can't work & press at the level he used to, & in that system if just one player isn't pressing or working then the entire thing is vulnerable.

I think Barca have a similar issue to us when stevie was at the tail end of his career here, in that he's still outstanding, still unbelievable & undroppable, & still undoubtedly makes you better, but yet, at times, the fact that he's dropped just a few percent means that when he's the focal point for every move you make you actually detract from the overall play. Then when they do have a rare 'off game' it's like the other players can't step up to find a way without them because their natural game has been relegated into almost a supporting role.

 

[Hansern]

PSG would probably be the only club he’d go to.
Utd havent got a chance, City wouldnt want him I guess.

 

[keniget]

He couldn't play for citeh. Ok, let's rephrase that, citeh under Guardiola would be weaker with him than without, so he wouldn't actually want him now.

Sounds outlandish, but as I said in the build up to these games, Messi can't work & press at the level he used to, & in that system if just one player isn't pressing or working then the entire thing is vulnerable.

I think Barca have a similar issue to us when stevie was at the tail end of his career here, in that he's still outstanding, still unbelievable & undroppable, & still undoubtedly makes you better, but yet, at times, the fact that he's dropped just a few percent means that when he's the focal point for every move you make you actually detract from the overall play. Then when they do have a rare 'off game' it's like the other players can't step up to find a way without them because their natural game has been relegated into almost a supporting role.

I don't agree with anything there.

The situation is nothing like Gerrard in his last couple years with us... not yet anyways. His productivity and overall play is still incredible. His acceleration and pace isn't *quite* what it was but it's still there.

It's more that everyone else in the problem. Barca appointed a Hodgson esque coach who, despite winning the league, has overseen a gradual decline in the team's overall ability. Everything goes through Messi because... well... who else would it go through? Neymar has gone and his replacement has been injured / incosistent, Suarez is a fading force, half the team is the wrong side of 30 and so forth and so forth.

The Barca hierarchy have fucked the last few years when they should been doing everything to maximize the time left with Messi.

 

[Woland]

They lost Xavi and Iniesta... Vidal and Coutinho aren't anywhere near that level. Messi is still boss.

 

[FoxForceFive]

They lost Xavi and Iniesta... Vidal and Coutinho aren't anywhere near that level. Messi is still boss.

He's still boss, but he's become the focal point for everything they do.

In that regard keni is right, as it's clear with the very best around him they would be less likely to defer to him.

 

[Halmeister]

I can't see Messi ever leaving. If he did, it'd be to PSG maybe? Can't even see him going to a club in Argentina.

As for his powers waning? As Keni said, his acceleration has waned (slightly! He still bursts past players), but even at his current level, he's still the best player ever.

He's adapted his game and somehow improved in other aspects. Look at his free kicks and play making. He wasn't doing that with such regularity 3 or 4 years ago.

I wouldn't bet against him adapting his game further in the coming years and still being just as good.

As for Barca, they're in trouble unless they have a massive rebuild. Even the players they're linked with don't do it for me. They'll never replace the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, and to a lesser extent Puyol and Alves, but they should be doing a lot better.