FC Barcelona is regarded one of the super clubs in the current era with arguably the finest player in the world Lionel Messi, but the Spanish giant faced a humiliating 8-2 defeat, worst in their European history, against Bayern Munich in the quarter-final of the UCL last week leaving a lot of question and doubt for their future.
After such humiliation being trophy less in 2019-20 season, speculation is rife that it ended an era and it is high time for the traditional club to make a fresh new start with total upside down.
A change is imminent in Barcelona as although they have some young exciting talents in their current squad, the core players of the team are ageing and at their late stage of their careers. Skipper Messi (33 years), Luis Suárez (33 years), Gerard Piqué (33 years), Jordi Alba (31 years), Arturo Vidal (33 years), Sergio Busquet (32 years) all are over 30 years old and surprisingly Barca even signed another thirty years old midfielder Miralem Pjanić (30 years) recently for the next summer with high price.
After Bayern defeat, defender and senior player of the team Pique admitted that a wholesale change is needed and if the club wants then he can be the first player to left the spot.
"Structurally, the club needs changes of all kinds because nobody is essential."
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 15, 2020
"If new blood has to come and change this dynamic, I am the first to offer to go."
"What is reflected on the field can no longer be covered up."
Gerard Piqué has had enough. pic.twitter.com/4V6FySJDVk
But, over the last few years Barcelona used to make their on and off the field plan around Messi, their central figure, and now with the question of total change, the main question is, what will happen to the talisman? Will he lead a complete resurrection or leave the club at its own?
Reports suggest that Messi is not happy with the club's hierarchy in recent years about many decisions regarding coach and strategy. And a feud between sporting director Eric Abidal in recent time adds some more speculation about Messi could leave Barcelona if things do not get improved.
Messi in 2019-20 season
Messi is 33 years of age at the moment and although Barcelona are suffering a trophy less season first time after 2007/8, Messi had a brilliant run of form in La Liga considering individual performances. He scored 34 goals and provided a staggering 30 assists in all competitions, 21 in La Liga, which is a record.
Messi’s current contract situation
Messi is contracted with Barcelona until June 2021 and he has a release clause of €700m. But the interesting part is Messi’s contract has a clause that says the diminutive Argentine may depart from Camp Nou completely on his own terms at the end of any season.
Messi will enter his final year of contract this summer and that means he can join any club for free in the coming season if the club could not able to extend his deal.
Which club may buy Messi ?
Recent media reports suggest that Inter Milan are considering an audacious move for Messi.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport report, the Serie A club will offer the Argentine a deal worth €260million (£235m) over four years.
"Structurally, the club needs changes of all kinds because nobody is essential."
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 15, 2020
"If new blood has to come and change this dynamic, I am the first to offer to go."
"What is reflected on the field can no longer be covered up."
Gerard Piqué has had enough. pic.twitter.com/4V6FySJDVk
According to a report from Daily Mirror on Sunday, Manchester City believe they are in pole position to sign Messi if the Argentine quits Barcelona in the aftermath of the club’s Champions League humiliation. That report also suggests that The Blues would pay Messi whatever it takes to lure him to the Etihad and reunite him with his former coach Pep Guardiola.
Man City will be at the front of the queuehttps://t.co/3MvyWcTDO0
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) August 15, 2020
Man City were also knocked out from Champions League quarterfinal against Lyon on Sunday and the Citizens are desperate to get success in Europe’s elite club competition.
So Messi should be sold or offered new contract?
So, either Barca may extend and renew Messi’s contract, which is also dependent on Messi about whether he wants to sign a new deal or not, or Barca may go to the option of selling Messi with a heavy price tag probably around 100 million or more in this transfer window.
When Cristiano Ronaldo decided to left Real Madrid, according to reports, Madrid got two offers around 100 million for the Portuguese marksman. And later the Los Blancos did not hesitate to sell Ronaldo for €100m to Juventus as getting that much of money for a 33-year old player seemed good business.
Like Real Madrid, will Barcelona follow the same strategy for 33-year-old Messi?
The answer is not easy as that involves many off-the field issues. Messi has become an icon for the club and will be the pivotal issue for the election policy that determines who will reign the club in the directorial level. The current regime is already under a lot of pressure and they will not in all likelihood try to augment it by selling him as he could be the only thing that may salvage their power. On the other hand, the opposition will also want to get support of the player for usurping the cumbersome.
Lionel Messi could be about to come onto the market... https://t.co/GlMM3U6vmW
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) August 16, 2020
But for Messi, who is yet to win any major trophy for his country Argentina, it may be a difficult proposition to stay in the dilapidated club and put himself in the danger of more trophy less seasons in the remaining years of career.
On the other hand, Messi became a Messi thanks to the club. The little man who was lacking enough nutrition was raised in the club at the tender age and got the world famous training at the La Masia, the training centre of Barcelona and remained loyal to the club ever since.
In the end it may be the greatest challenge for the great footballer to choose between loyalty and glory, and the question of the future of one of the great football clubs hinges on the balance of this very question.
