Lionel Messi is a true great in world football, and also at Barcelona, where he is adored by the thousands of passionate fans that have watched him over the years. However, with the Catalan giants in a period of transition and the need for money via transfers and wages, could now be the right time to let the great, but ageing, Lionel Messi leave Barcelona? Now could be the time when the unthinkable happens.
Now is the Time for Lionel Messi to Leave Barcelona
Barcelona Need to Begin Rebuilding
Following a tough season where Barca failed to win La Liga and experienced the humiliation of an 8-2 single-leg defeat in the Champions League to Bayern Munich, a rebuild is required. The Spanish giants have lost several of the players that have made them such a force. Players such as Xavi, Iniesta, Neymar have departed, and others still at the club are showing their age. Including Messi.
The Argentine is still a great player and will continue to be for several years; however, at 33-years-old, are his best days behind him? Messi has given his all to the Catalan club, playing over 700 games and scoring over 600 goals. Maybe now is the time, with the club in transition, a former favourite in Ronald Koeman taking over as manager, and a new era incoming, for the great Messi to try and be a success elsewhere.
Barcelona require a rebuild, not just to their famous Camp Nou but to also their playing squad. A departing Messi could give Koeman more room to manoeuvre in the transfer market due to any fee received and his wages off the books.
Wages
According to a report by AS.com, L’Equipe published a report that listed Lionel Messi as the highest-paid footballer in the world. The report stated that the Argentinian earns €8.3 million gross per month. There is little doubt that he earned this due to his consistently great performances and goals; however, could new manager Ronald Koeman bring in several players to improve the squad as a whole with that kind of money each month? Messi is irreplaceable, but the good of the team may be too great.
Transfer Fee
Messi’s contract ends in the summer of 2021, and according to ESPN, has a €700 million release clause. While Koeman or Barcelona would rather not lose their star player, a report published by ESPN claim that some of the Barca board would consider selling Messi in order for Koeman to rebuild the team. Although there is a minimum release fee in his contract, this ends next year and the chances of receiving such a huge fee could be slim.
Messi Unsure of Future
Lionel Messi cut short a holiday to meet with Barcelona’s new manager Ronald Koeman. Reports in Spain from Mundo Deportivo and Sport, claim that Messi is unsure of his future and is still hurt and disappointed. Should this be the case, Koeman and Barcelona could have a big task in keeping him at the club.
However, his huge release clause could make it difficult for Messi to leave should he wish to do so. If the Barca captain does decide to leave, something will have to give.
No Shortage of Suitors
Should he leave the Camp Nou, something which appeared unimaginable not long ago, he will have no shortage of clubs wanting his signature.
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City could be front-runners if the superstar becomes available. According to ESPN, City are already making plans and are checking that the numbers would work for them to sign the player, but also to meet financial fair play rules.
Spanish outlet Deportes Cuatro claim that Manchester United are the best placed to make a move and to also meet the wage demands of the world’s highest-paid footballer.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel has said that Messi is “Welcome at the club”; however, the German coach believes ‘Mr Barcelona’ won’t leave Catalonia any time soon.
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