Until 2016, although a vote of no confidence can end his term sooner. Problem is that Rosell has already done a good job of discrediting Laporta so his return is a longshot, IMO. Some other potential candidates are viewed by certain circles as being a worse option than Rosell himself (Benedito, for example) although I don't know enough about these alternatives to weigh in personally. The parameters for being a candidate have become so exclusive that to even qualify to run rules out most - similar goes on at the capital club.
Lionel Messi
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Until 2016, although a vote of no confidence can end his term sooner. Problem is that Rosell has already done a good job of discrediting Laporta so his return is a longshot, IMO. Some other potential candidates are viewed by certain circles as being a worse option than Rosell himself (Benedito, for example) although I don't know enough about these alternatives to weigh in personally. The parameters for being a candidate have become so exclusive that to even qualify to run rules out most - similar goes on at the capital club.
Usual politics going on, I think if Laporta has the backing of the players and big figures in Barca's past he could make a return. How poorly is he viewed among the members?
It is incredible to consolidate his own power he'll possibly let go of quite possibly the all time great player. Not surprising though, these politicians would smear their own grandmothers to gain an advantage.
Money, Jazz. Follow the money, corruption & abuse is sure to be found
Scored two goals in twenty odd minutes on his return tonight. World's best is back.
He's ridiculous.
He's a joke.
Really thought he was going to convert that fk too, narrowly missing. He still needs matches to get back into the proper playing rhythm for 90 minutes but his fitness & sharpness looked good for someone who hadn't even scrimmaged in over 2 months. Sometimes after an injury like that (Especially a recurring one), the fear of a relapse can be a mental burden/stress/fear but Leo looked aggressive and showed burst here & there. Better still, the attacking players are all in excellent form
Great that he's back, as Ancelotti correctly pointed out, Barcelona isn't Barcelona without Messi
Great that he's back, as Ancelotti correctly pointed out, Barcelona isn't Barcelona without Messi
He just said that he'll retire at Barca. Not that it's some kind of a surprise.
Hasn't proved it on a rainy Wednesday night at Stoke. Not a top level player. If he was he'd sign for us and win the league. That'd be amazing.
Best part of the match, for me. After he scored the 2nd, looked like he was pointing to the club badge on his shirt as he headed to the corner flag but the TV angle made it difficult to be sure. It was clear he was sending a message about the recent drama involving Faus to fans.
Beck then, Keane aside neither of the other two were rated outside the premiership. Its the sky zoo that kept biggin them as greats albeit Vieria being a joke both in the CL as well as the internationals.
1998-2001 Veron was actually a better footballer than Zidane if not as good. That came in the era when Zidane was his peak winning the world cup and Euros.
28 M for Veron was a bargain and it was the first time United were actually competing against Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid to sign a marquee player.
What? Vieira was a joke in internationals?
Vijay?? 
What with Cal and jason's reappearance, and United looking down in the dumps after ages, this really seems like 2005 all over again.
What with Cal and jason's reappearance, and United looking down in the dumps after ages, this really seems like 2005 all over again.
Cal has always been active. There was this guy Yianni back then who too hated Arsenal with passion IIRC
I can't believe some claimed Suarez was the best in the world with this guy still around. Laughable stuff. Others might win ballon dors ahead of him (maybe Ronaldo this year) and he might not shine in a the odd knockout match against Chelsea, but it's clear to see that he's generally a class above everyone else on the planet.
I disliked Vieira with a passion, but even I know that what Vijay wasn't true. He was a solid player who gave his all for the team. We would have been unbeatable if we had Keane and Vieira at the same time...oh well, time to stop beating myself up about that. Two great players in my opinion.
Absolutely.
Was he actually that good in the Serie A? yeah, it was fair value at the time...funnily enough we actually wanted Nedved...but weren't able to secure him for whatever reason.
I seem to recall, circa 2001, a few posters stating that Veron would sometimes go missing in Serie A games. I've never heard him being as rated as Zidane, maybe a notch or two below but never on equal terms.
I mentioned those 3 because this was the hey day of box to box midfielders in England. The days of high tempo and physicality. Viera won the World Cup and European Championship. He also played in another WC final and scored 3 goals en route to the final and marking Ronaldinho out of the game in the Zidane-inspired quarter final. He also replaced captained France. How exactly was he a joke at international level? He was unlucky not to win the Champions League and the lack of a winners medal is in no way a reflection of his ability. At his peak he was wanted by most of the top teams in Europe.
It's been a taxing season for Messi.
Nice way to remind everyone that he is still the greatest player who ever kicked a ball.
Yeah, stick that up your arse UEFA.
Unbelievable dribbling, but my god that was some shit defending.
The best player in the world has returned 
Great to see him back. Last year you can tell how much the injury held him back. That and maybe a tiny bit of complacency after winning 4 ballon d'or's in a row. Now that Ronaldo won it I can Messi having a great year, definitely hope so because he's brilliant to watch at his best. A fully fit Messi against Bayern last season would have made a huge difference.
Bullshit. Best did that 2 or 3 times a week.
Better version of his 2nd goal
Such a good goal.
That last defender was ballwatching like nothing else though. No way should he let Messi first on to that ball.
Not really. 2013 Messi had lost that sudden acceleration that made those kinds of run work. Messi having recovered that change of pace is a much more difficult player to defend against. What you're really saying is they could have fouled him, but when he moves like that, if you hesitate at all, even the chance of a foul is gone.
The Getafe manager says Messi scares defenders - he certainly does.
He's got his acceleration back in full flow, looked like he had lost some of it last year.
On that first tackle in the dribble, any mere mortal would have gone down, claimed a free kick and the defender would have got a yellow card. Messi was perpendicular to the ground and most, if not all players would have fallen over. His ability to take a tackle and still remain on his feet reminds me so much of the late great George Best.
Messi sort of stopped scoring those goals in the bucket load like he used in the last year or two. He should start that again, so much more fun to watch than the one that mostly hangs around the box
Next year's Ballon D'Or.
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