This season, FC Barcelona failed to win a single trophy for the first time since 2007 and was highlighted with the total wipe out (2-8) they suffered from Bayern Munich during the Champions League quarterfinals last week, with the German side eventually winning the title.
There were rumors circulating the past several weeks of Barca’s resident superstar wanting to jump ship and it was reported recently that Lionel Messi is interested in a move to Manchester City of the English Premier League and be reunited with Pep Guardiola, who coached him at Barca for four years (2008-2012), including two Champions League titles in 2009 and 2011.
The 33-year old Messi joined Barcelona when he was 17 and spent his entire professional football career with the club. He became the first player to win four consecutive Ballon d’Or (World Player of the Year) awards and has won a total of 6, a record for footballers. With Barcelona, he won a club record of 33 trophies, including 10 La Liga titles, 6 Copas del Rey and 4 EUFA Champions League titles. As captain for both Barca and the Argentine National Football Team, Messi had scored over 700 goals for club and country.
His nickname is not very flattering. Small in size but big in talent, his elder brothers called him “Pulguita” or little flea because of his explosive style and eventually became “La Pulga” (The Flea) in pro football because he seems to bounce off opponents like a flea with his bursts of speed.
Barcelona confirmed the other day that Messi informed them of his desire to move on to a new challenge after a frustrating 2019-2020 season, as like LeBron James, his title chase window is closing. Barca responded that they wanted him to stay and end his career with them and has stated that Messi is not for sale. Teams interested in him will be directed to his $826 million release clause. His contract with the Spanish club runs until 2021.
With the hefty price tag, few teams or none, would be willing to take Messi in, considering the financial hit the pandemic had done to football teams. During his 2017 contract renewal, there was a clause stipulating that he can be allowed to leave Barca for free at the end of each season if he informs the club of his intention. He hopes to use this clause and is reportedly consulting with his lawyers.
If somehow Manchester finds a way to make the transfer viable, Messi’s deal will include a clause where he plays for Manchester for three years and then join sister club New York City FC of Major League Soccer, that plays their home games at the Yankee Stadium. Reports say that Manchester will also include some players in the deal.
Barcelona Sporting Director Ramon Planes said they are doing everything they can to make him stay. “The marriage between Barca and Messi has given both parties a lot. It has given the fans a huge amount of joy, and we have to fight for that relationship to continue. Internally, we’re working hard to convince Messi to stay. We want to find the best solution for Barca and for Messi.”
For almost 20 years, Lionel Messi is synonymous to Barcelona. It would be sad for the fruitful union to end in a divorce./PN
