Lionel Messi

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I haven't come across a girlfriend analogy regarding Messi situation. Very unlike social media. Hopefully someone does.
 
Zehner said:
Apparently, he's of the opinion that he could leave for free but he doesn't want to sue 'his' club so he stys instead. Isn't that what you're asking him to do?
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The club which is in poor financial health should let go off their most valuable asset for free despite no legal requirement from their end. When they could get at least a 100-150 million type of fee which can aid their rebuild and transition. In the name of loyalty, they should commit financial suicide. Is that what you're asking them to do?
 
romufc said:
I am past the money, Messi deserves every penny he gets, he is the best ever.

So Barca would rather let Messi go for free next summer than get £150m for him this? especially after he has said he wants to leave.

We don't really know about the calls or anything because it is never black and white. Loads of clubs have said no player wont leave under x amount and they end up leaving.

The fact is City have never tried to put a fee in for Messi.
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Now we are talking! Barca have dropped the ball here. They'd have cleared 250M off the books (his transfer fee and his wages) but are forcing him to stay. City didn't put in a bid because barca kept threatening a lawsuit publicly. It is too risky to go down that road. Barto doesn't want to be known as the guy who lost Messi, even if his reputation is already in shambles.
 
I knew it was just posturing. He can't take that challenge, cant take the risk to be exposed.
 
EwanI Ted said:
Think I'm in a minority here, but I think its a shame that the relationship looks to have broken down, with Messi & Barca being stuck in a loveless marriage for one more year. We are talking about one of the all time greats, maybe the greatest ever. It would be a shame if his career had a crappy negative end to it.
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You're exactly right.
 
Daysleeper said:
thanks for sharing your thoughts. I love Messi but if he wants to leave, let him go with dignity. I’d hate for him to stay against his will. 2020 really is the most bizarre timeline.
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At this point it would be the best for him to leave right now both for him and the club. Him wanting to leave is already bad enough for them as it implies he doesn't believe in the current board and project so for that reason alone I think the club should negotiate his exit this window as he's not fully committed to the club.

He's still a top player and I'm sure he would still act as a professional so it wouldn't be unthinkable he has a great season and has club challenging for the league and UCL but at the same it's going to get very bad for him and the club everytime they lose. They will question his commitment, leadership, etc. and the board will also get heavily criticized so it's like they're sabotaging themselves by the way they've handled all this. What's more I do still think they need a rebuild and Messi has recognized and doesn't trust the current board so it's understandable he wants a fair shot of winning major trophies at a different club with a better project while he still has some years left to play at the top level.

My only criticism to Messi in all this is that he hasn't come forward to make a public statement, which was needed since the embarrassing defeat against Bayern, he's their captain after all and while he gets criticized for his lack of leadership skills all the time I do think this time the situation demanded him to speak up and be clear about his intentions and motives.

Anyway if he stays for another season the shit show is just going to keep on going and has the potential of preventing any efforts to get the club moving forward and assembling a competitive and functional team.
 
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Nickelodeon said:
Calm down. There's no one correct opinion here. Respect an alternate one even if you disagree.

Coming to the point of loyalty, if Messi had stated that he's done all he can and he wants to leave and would want the club to facilitate the exit, then fine. He could've made a statement on the same and the burofax would've been an administrative requirement. From what I've read at least, Messi has tried to force an exit by insinuating that he's legally allowed to leave on a free when the legality of it is quite sketchy.

Given that he's a legend and deserves some loyalty for his service, he could've negotiated a fairer transfer fee which gives Barca some fee to replace him adequately while not having a 700 million figure attached to him. But when he went for 0, the board went for the 700. No one covered themselves in glory here.



Because his exit was negotiated in a timely and mutually beneficial manner where both player and club were aligned. It seems that Messi and his representatives haven't even tried that and the club had no option but to uphold the release clause. Messi leaving is a disgrace enough for them, let alone Messi leaving on a free.

Again, there are no winners in this scenario.
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This where you're respectfully wrong though. Messi did NOT want to leave for free. While hi contract supposedly states he could leave for free at the end of each season he wanted Barca to negotiate with city. His camp has stated many times they wanted an amicable exit. Barca are the ones who refuse to negotiate going through petty mental gymnastics to avoid fielding calls and offers and even ghosting Messi's camp at times when they wanted to find a resolution.
 
Nickelodeon said:
And Barca has paid him a fortune (90 odd million a year pre-tax). It's not like he was doing it out of the goodness of his heart. Him wanting to leave the club is not a betrayal. Announcement through burofax and the effort to leave for free was quite distasteful though.
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His contract allowed him to unilaterally terminate it. There was nothing distasteful.
 
If only Amazon planned All or Nothing with Barca for the upcoming season.
 
Daysleeper said:
Now we are talking! Barca have dropped the ball here. They'd have cleared 250M off the books (his transfer fee and his wages) but are forcing him to stay. City didn't put in a bid because barca kept threatening a lawsuit publicly. It is too risky to go down that road. Barto doesn't want to be known as the guy who lost Messi, even if his reputation is already in shambles.
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If that is the case then that is yet another ball being dropped. This was the perfect opportunity to let Messi go and get money for him. Maybe they think they have a chance of convincing him to sign a new contract.

His reputation is tarnished as it is, if he cannot get Messi to sign a new contract in the next 3 months, Messi will be allowed to negotiate with other clubs in January anyway.

So they have bought themselves 3 months and could end up costing Barca £100m plus in lost transfer value. Seems strange.
 
Acheron said:
At this point it would be the best for him to leave right now both for him and the club. Him wanting to leave is already bad enough for them as it implies he doesn't believe in the current board and project so for that reason alone I think the club should negotiate his exit this window as he's not fully committed to the club.

He's still a top player and I'm sure he would still act as a professional so it wouldn't be unthinkable he has a great season and has club challenging for the league and UCL but at the same it's going to get very bad for him and the club everytime they lose. They will question his commitment, leadership, etc. and the board will also get heavily criticized so it's like they're sabotaging themselves by the way they've handled all this. What's more I do still think they need a rebuild and Messi has recognized and doesn't trust the current board so it's understandable he wants a fair shot of winning major trophies at a different club with a better project while he still has some years left to play at the top level.

My only criticism to Messi in all this is that he hasn't come forward to make a public statement, which was needed since the embarrassing defeat against Bayern, he's their captain after all and while he gets criticized for his lack of leadership skills all the time I do think this time the situation demanded him to speak up and be clear about his intentions and motives.
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Yes, I think while his lawyers told him not to speak publicly about the contract issue, he absolutely should have said something after the Bayern debacle. It never sat right with me that he was silent for so long.

Anyways, looks like he is posting a video himself to make an official statement in 30 minutes finally. His camp has confirmed it. Let's see what he says.
 
The Man Himself said:
If only Amazon planned All or Nothing with Barca for the upcoming season.
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My friends who aren't ncessarily barca fans loved Match Day and said it was really well done. But I can't watch it knowing the anfield match is on there haha
 
romufc said:
If that is the case then that is yet another ball being dropped. This was the perfect opportunity to let Messi go and get money for him. Maybe they think they have a chance of convincing him to sign a new contract.

His reputation is tarnished as it is, if he cannot get Messi to sign a new contract in the next 3 months, Messi will be allowed to negotiate with other clubs in January anyway.

So they have bought themselves 3 months and could end up costing Barca £100m plus in lost transfer value. Seems strange.
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Exactly! Barto is too stubborn, but he may be forced out before the new elections in march. I don't see how anything will change this coming season to change his mind. We are rumoured to be signing Gini and Depay but that isn't enough. Not sure why we aren't going for more defenders and full backs. It's such a toxic mismanaged club I completely sympathize with where Messi is coming from though I wish he would've said something publicly sooner.
 
Good news for us, maybe a cheeky bid next year if he wants to stay if United can mount a title challenge.
 
Daysleeper said:
Exactly! Barto is too stubborn, but he may be forced out before the new elections in march. I don't see how anything will change this coming season to change his mind. We are rumoured to be signing Gini and Depay but that isn't enough. Not sure why we aren't going for more defenders and full backs. It's such a toxic mismanaged club I completely sympathize with where Messi is coming from though I wish he would've said something publicly sooner.
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Dont worry, we have been there as United fans. Spend money on unnecessary players. Buying Gini is again falling into the same problems. He is 29 when you have signed Pjanic as a CM.

This team needs to be built with younger players, which is what I thought they are trying when they were targeting De Ligt, De jong and this summer Eric Garcia.

Together with Firpo, Fati, just players that can play in positions they need.

Barca have been in decline for a number of years, they have won the league which has taken the spot light of how badly its managed.

Griezman IMO was a total waste of money considering you have Messi who wants to play that free role.
 
romufc said:
Griezman IMO was a total waste of money considering you have Messi who wants to play that free role.
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I had forgotten about Griezmann in all this :lol: , he would be a winner in all this if Messi left. He's not at the same level as Messi but some of their attacking players have to accommodate and make up for Messi's lack of work rate. So as it is he's just a waste there so a move from Messi would had helped him, more so if what was said about City negotiations some players on top of the fee but that offer sounded too good to be true.
 
Is it not possible him announcing he’s being forced to stay is an attempt to put pressure on Bartemou to let him go? Seems odd he wouldn’t just announce he’s staying. I guess will have to see how it’s worded.
 
Daysleeper said:
Exactly! Barto is too stubborn, but he may be forced out before the new elections in march. I don't see how anything will change this coming season to change his mind. We are rumoured to be signing Gini and Depay but that isn't enough. Not sure why we aren't going for more defenders and full backs. It's such a toxic mismanaged club I completely sympathize with where Messi is coming from though I wish he would've said something publicly sooner.
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Isn't Barto on the hook for financial and legal penalties if he resigns or is forced out? The stakes are higher for him than Messi - one is fighting for his survival and the other for trophies. And Messi loves Barca more than Barto's desire to get rid of him. In fights like this, the one with less stakes will concede.
 
Acheron said:
I had forgotten about Griezmann in all this :lol: , he would be a winner in all this if Messi left. He's not at the same level as Messi but some of their attacking players have to accommodate and make up for Messi's lack of work rate. So as it is he's just a waste there so a move from Messi would had helped him, more so if what was said about City negotiations some players on top of the fee but that offer sounded too good to be true.
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Think I remember koeman saying something about griezmans best role being through the middle
Messi griezman dembele/fati
Is perhaps what he has (or had) planned
 
romufc said:
Dont worry, we have been there as United fans. Spend money on unnecessary players. Buying Gini is again falling into the same problems. He is 29 when you have signed Pjanic as a CM.

This team needs to be built with younger players, which is what I thought they are trying when they were targeting De Ligt, De jong and this summer Eric Garcia.

Together with Firpo, Fati, just players that can play in positions they need.

Barca have been in decline for a number of years, they have won the league which has taken the spot light of how badly its managed.

Griezman IMO was a total waste of money considering you have Messi who wants to play that free role.
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Cheers buddy. We need younger players for sure, but coutinho was an even bigger disaster than griezmann. The problem is even hiring legacy players with zero experience like Abidal was just dumb. Coutinho and Griezmann occupy the same space as Messi, what the hell are we doing? Ever since Neymar left, the squandering with all that money is appalling. It has set the club back ten years. Can't wait for the new elections. laporta who was there during the glory pep days is the favorite to win so let's see what happens.
 
monosierra said:
Isn't Barto on the hook for financial and legal penalties if he resigns or is forced out? The stakes are higher for him than Messi - one is fighting for his survival and the other for trophies. And Messi loves Barca more than Barto's desire to get rid of him. In fights like this, the one with less stakes will concede.
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Exactly, if he can hang on until new elections in march he will be off the hook
 
Mickeza said:
Is it not possible him announcing he’s being forced to stay is an attempt to put pressure on Bartemou to let him go? Seems odd he wouldn’t just announce he’s staying. I guess will have to see how it’s worded.
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He should go all out against the board but say he stays for the fans and the club as an institution and perhaps announce this is his last season playing for Barcelona if he plans on leaving next summer.
 
Acheron said:
I had forgotten about Griezmann in all this :lol: , he would be a winner in all this if Messi left. He's not at the same level as Messi but some of their attacking players have to accommodate and make up for Messi's lack of work rate. So as it is he's just a waste there so a move from Messi would had helped him, more so if what was said about City negotiations some players on top of the fee but that offer sounded too good to be true.
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I think rumours came out last season where Messi wasnt happy and wanted Neymar instead. Unfortunately for Griezman, it didnt click and he may have moved a year or two too late as he lost his pace and pressing ability.
 
Nickelodeon said:
The club which is in poor financial health should let go off their most valuable asset for free despite no legal requirement from their end. When they could get at least a 100-150 million type of fee which can aid their rebuild and transition. In the name of loyalty, they should commit financial suicide. Is that what you're asking them to do?
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Apparently there is a legal requirement for the deal. They're building their whole strategy on Messi's refusal to ruin the club.

You want differentiated and respectful answers but it seems as if you don't even read the replies you get. Then proceed giving ironic answers. Strange behavior.
 
Daysleeper said:
Cheers buddy. We need younger players for sure, but coutinho was an even bigger disaster than griezmann. The problem is even hiring legacy players with zero experience like Abidal was just dumb. Coutinho and Griezmann occupy the same space as Messi, what the hell are we doing? Ever since Neymar left, the squandering with all that money is appalling. It has set the club back ten years. Can't wait for the new elections. laporta who was there during the glory pep days is the favorite to win so let's see what happens.
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I can actually sense the frustration in you, United fans have exactly the same issue with the club hierarchy.

You build a team around Messi, you know Messi now wont track as much so you don't get players who are similar in Griezman and Coutinho, that money could have been better spend on solidifying the defence and wingers.

It just goes to show, what a few years of mismanagement can do big football clubs. It doesn't matter how much money you spend but if its not spent right, you will get nowhere.
 
Acheron said:
He should go all out against the board but say he stays for the fans and the club as an institution and perhaps announce this is his last season playing for Barcelona if he plans on leaving next summer.
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Supposedly that’s what he’s doing. Which is very interesting to me. I think Bartemou wants to sell for a fee. They’d be crazy not to want to cash in. The problem is the backlash. By Messi doing this maybe the narrative will change to Barca fans wanting them to sell him rather than hold him hostage for a year. This way there’s no backlash if he sells him for 100m and they get the cash to rebuild they want and his wages gone. Messi gets his move. Win-win.
 
Messi: “I wasn't happy and I wanted to leave. I have not been allowed to leave in any way, and I will STAY at the club so that I do not get into a legal dispute. The management of the club led by Bartomeu is a disaster"
 
romufc said:
I can actually sense the frustration in you, United fans have exactly the same issue with the club hierarchy.

You build a team around Messi, you know Messi now wont track as much so you don't get players who are similar in Griezman and Coutinho, that money could have been better spend on solidifying the defence and wingers.

It just goes to show, what a few years of mismanagement can do big football clubs. It doesn't matter how much money you spend but if its not spent right, you will get nowhere.
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At last you guys are rebounding nicely though. Very envious of the VDB signing!
 
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