Messi?

BobbyManc said:
Could a club like United/Bayern sign him regardless and just accept failing FFP for one year? You'd get a fine and transfer restrictions at worst I presume. Balance that alongside having Lionel Messi lining up for you week in week out and I don't think it's a difficult choice. Obviously that's a huge oversimplification but you see the idea.
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Transfers are usually written down over the length of the contract. So if he signs a 5 year contract, 250m would go into the books with 50m for each of the following 5 years. Add around 20m in wages and we're talking about 70-75m Euro for 5 consecutive years. I'd say that United, Bayern and Real could afford it, maybe they need to get a bit creative with the accounting, but that wouldn't be anything new. It's not impossible. There's also a chance that Addidas would help to make it happen, so that the Adidas posterboy plays for one of the big Addidas clubs.

Still, it's a huge huge risk. It would definitely limit further transfers in the upcoming years and in case Messi suffers an injury or never fulfills the expectations, it could cause a lot of problems. I highly doubt he'll leave, but if he really wants to, the big clubs can make it happen.
 
To those saying its about messi wanting his own way, that maybe he wants a change in management or players or a new deal, what could he possibly change at this point, he gets a new contract every year anyway pretty much, he must be on the highest wages in world football anyway and what manager could they get in now thats going to change a damn thing longterm?

Surely it cant just be "he's throwing a strop because he wants another 50k a week"
 
...............De God
Rafael-Smalling-Hummels-Shaw
...........Herrera-Blind
Di Maria---Rooney---Depay
...............Messi
 
Balu said:
Transfers are usually written down over the length of the contract. So if he signs a 5 year contract, 250m would go into the books with 50m for each of the following 5 years. Add around 20m in wages and we're talking about 70-75m Euro for 5 consecutive years. I'd say that United, Bayern and Real could afford it, maybe they need to get a bit creative with the accounting, but that wouldn't be anything new. It's not impossible. There's also a chance that Addidas would help to make it happen, so that the Adidas posterboy plays for one of the big Addidas clubs.

Still, it's a huge huge risk. It would definitely limit further transfers in the upcoming years and in case Messi suffers an injury or never fulfills the expectations, it could cause a lot of problems. I highly doubt he'll leave, but if he really wants to, the big clubs can make it happen.
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Yep! Come on Adidas, help us out ;). Balu would never love Messi as much as we do!
 
It's funny how many people said I was being bitter (despite there being no context for me to actually be bitter about anything) when I pointed out a little while back that Messi is a spoilt little brat who manipulates everything to suit him.

There's no way he will retire at Barca, as soon as they sense that his powers are waning and it's decided he's more trouble than he's worth they'll cash in to the tune of 9 figures.

I'd love him here though, if he was motivated.
 
To be honest, I'd rather get Ronaldo than Messi. I don't know, I just don't want Messi here, but I would love to have Cristiano back. I mean, surely Real would listen to a 100-150 million offer, and compared to the extra 50-100 million we'd have to spend on Messi, I think Ronaldo would be a better investment, for I feel he'd do much better in the Prem: he knows it already, he can deal with the physicality, he's back in familiar settings and the fans would love him.

Messi on the other hand, there's no guarantee that he'd be as good in the Prem. I mean sure he can handle the big teams like Chelsea, Arsenal and the likes, but can he handle the smaller, more physical teams? I'd want to be sure of that before investing close to quarter of a billion into one player.

But then again, this is all just my humble opinion.
 
Ish84045 said:
Yep! Come on Adidas, help us out ;). Balu would never love Messi as much as we do!
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We still have the closer connection to Adidas than you guys though ;). A lot closer actually.

To be honest, I'm not sure I actually want Messi at the club. On one hand it would be absolutely incredible to watch one of the all time greats at my club, no doubt about that. But do I want all the drama? The annual contract extension? I also don't want that this group of players is remembered as just another Messi team. He's a Barca legend, I can't see him ever becoming a Bayern legend from here on and our team is wonderful to watch and incredibly successful without him.

It's really weird, but the good thing is, if he comes, I'll be over the moon, it would be awesome. If he doesn't (which is what'll happen anyway), I'm not slightest bit disappointed.
 
Pexbo said:
It's funny how many people said I was being bitter (despite there being no context for me to actually be bitter about anything) when I pointed out a little while back that Messi is a spoilt little brat who manipulates everything to suit him.

There's no way he will retire at Barca, as soon as they sense that his powers are waning and it's decided he's more trouble than he's worth they'll cash in to the tune of 9 figures.

I'd love him here though, if he was motivated.
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This. This and his 'good boy' persona just pisses me off. People think Ronaldo's arrogant? Psh, Messi would have kicked Bale and James off the team already. Ronaldo's not as bad as people make out. Messi just seems... fake in a sense.
 
Balu said:
We still have the closer connection to Adidas than you guys though ;). A lot closer actually.

To be honest, I'm not sure I actually want Messi at the club. On one hand it would be absolutely incredible to watch one of the all time greats at my club, no doubt about that. But do I want all the drama? The annual contract extension? I also don't want that this group of players is remembered as just another Messi team. He's a Barca legend, I can't see him ever becoming a Bayern legend from here on and our team is wonderful to watch and incredibly successful without him.

It's really weird, but the good thing is, if he comes, I'll be over the moon, it would be awesome. If he doesn't (which is what'll happen anyway), I'm not slightest bit disappointed.
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What with you having Guardiola as a manager and all, I think, if Messi was ever truly available, you'd be right in the mix for him. Probably come out on top as well.

Now that I think about it, the three other clubs who could possibly afford it other than us are all sponsored by Adidas as well. :nervous:
 
Balu said:
We still have the closer connection to Adidas than you guys though ;). A lot closer actually.

To be honest, I'm not sure I actually want Messi at the club. On one hand it would be absolutely incredible to watch one of the all time greats at my club, no doubt about that. But do I want all the drama? The annual contract extension? I also don't want that this group of players is remembered as just another Messi team. He's a Barca legend, I can't see him ever becoming a Bayern legend from here on and our team is wonderful to watch and incredibly successful without him.

It's really weird, but the good thing is, if he comes, I'll be over the moon, it would be awesome. If he doesn't (which is what'll happen anyway), I'm not slightest bit disappointed.
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Yeah, I can relate to that. Though our team is a little more broken (actually a lot more broken :lol:) then yours, so I would welcome him a bit more.

I just think, if he's ever going to leave Barca, it should be relatively soon.

Both Messi and Barca seem at that point where a break up could give them some fresh impetus. They both seem demotivated. Jaded. Predictable. Barca can't move on and are finding it difficult to incorporate new signings into their team because of the talent of Messi. Messi has issues over there, he's won everything and that Barca team is in decline (sorta and especially where "style" of football is concerned). But that's just me.

He could only do his career good if he came to a new league. A new team/style/formation and won some stuff.

But yeah, it's all highly unlikely to happen, and by the time it does, it would be when Messi's very much winding his career down.
 
Ish84045 said:
He could only do his career good if he came to a new league. A new team/style/formation and won some stuff.
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So no playing under Pep then? Well, that does kinda rule us out :(
 
Balu said:
So no playing under Pep then? Well, that does kinda rule us out :(
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Hey Balu, I see what you're doing! You're not allowed to play the underdog here. :mad: your team is too good. So man up and be more confident! Messi would love to play under Pep again. You can see the seduction in his eyes :lol:

Pep was always the one who got the best out of him.
 
TheUnitedWay said:
To be honest, I'd rather get Ronaldo than Messi. I don't know, I just don't want Messi here, but I would love to have Cristiano back. I mean, surely Real would listen to a 100-150 million offer, and compared to the extra 50-100 million we'd have to spend on Messi, I think Ronaldo would be a better investment, for I feel he'd do much better in the Prem: he knows it already, he can deal with the physicality, he's back in familiar settings and the fans would love him.

Messi on the other hand, there's no guarantee that he'd be as good in the Prem. I mean sure he can handle the big teams like Chelsea, Arsenal and the likes, but can he handle the smaller, more physical teams? I'd want to be sure of that before investing close to quarter of a billion into one player.

But then again, this is all just my humble opinion.
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Why do you think someone like Suarez or Sanchez can handle it but Messi couldn't?
 
Brwned said:
Why do you think someone like Suarez or Sanchez can handle it but Messi couldn't?
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His argument seems to me more a case of Ronaldo has proven he can handle it whereas Messi is more likely to fail to justify his price tag. Doesn't have to mean he believes Messi would fail to adapt to the league.
 
TheUnitedWay said:
This. This and his 'good boy' persona just pisses me off. People think Ronaldo's arrogant? Psh, Messi would have kicked Bale and James off the team already. Ronaldo's not as bad as people make out. Messi just seems... fake in a sense.
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Well you folks are fortunate that you don't have to suffer every week watching a player like Messi. Just imagine the mental state of us poor Barca fans who had to suffer beacuse of him being the 1st name in the team-list. Really dreadful to watch. Luckily for you guys, I have been told he has more admiration for Inter/Napoli than United (Inter infact attempted few years back).
 
CLARiiON said:
Well you folks are fortunate that you don't have to suffer every week watching a player like Messi. Just imagine the mental state of us poor Barca fans who had to suffer beacuse of him being the 1st name in the team-list. Really dreadful to watch. Luckily for you guys, I have been told he has more admiration for Inter/Napoli than United (Inter infact attempted few years back).
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Yeah it's not really the point here though. The majority of United fans don't like Rooney as a person but begrudgingly appreciate all he has done for us over the years.

All that is being pointed out here is that Messi's stock is going down as this likeable down to earth lad. His image is built on it.

You know it's too good to be true when a Blatter acts as your character reference.
 
Pexbo said:
The majority of United fans don't like Rooney as a person
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Wrong comparison. Messi might not have the best image among United fans, which is hardly relevant to what Barca fans think about him. You think Barca fans like him just for his game and not Messi as the person? You couldn't be further from truth.
 
I don't expect him to leave Barca but even if he did I don't think he'd come here. I don't see him wanting to follow in Ronaldo's footsteps tbh. Far more likely to join Liverpool and get them ahead of us in leagues again imo.
 
CLARiiON said:
Wrong comparison. Messi might not have the best image among United fans, which is hardly relevant to what Barca fans think about him. You think Barca fans like him just for his game and not Messi as the person? You couldn't be further from truth.
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This is what I'm talking about though, it's coming to light more and more what sort of character he really is and as someone said before, Barca have done well to protect that image as it's been in their interest to. It seems this time with things more chaotic at board room level there's less interest in protecting that image and a clearer picture of him manipulating the situation to suit himself once again is coming out.

As a Barca fan you might like the fact he says "it's the manager or me" because you don't like the manager and take Messi's side on the matter. From a football point of view, I think any player using that sort of tactic is disgusting behaviour.

Best player of all time? Probably. Nice, respectful down to earth lad? Pull the other one.
 
He's past the point, or very close to it in terms of being a viable transfer IMO unless you're one of the sugar daddy clubs where money is no object. Saying that not even sure any of them would be able to do it given FFP, so in that respect I think he'll remain at Barcelona unless something totally unexpected happens.
 
Pexbo said:
As a Barca fan you might like the fact he says "it's the manager or me"
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First, the media reports so far says that it's the manager who asked the board it's either him or messi. So I am not sure where you got this from. It was the manager who becnhed him and Neymar, not that the players didn't want to play. All he did was to follow City and Chelsea in Instagram to raise this shitstorm! You got to give it to him that there's a 7 page thread in cafe beacuse he followed a team in Instagram.

Nobody says he's a saint in real life, he's just another average guy who wants more money and power. I don't understand why Barca fans should have any problems with that? Yes many rival fans don't like his behaviour, that hardly matters for him or Barca.
 
I just can't invasion him in a Chelsea shirt, I think the whole team/style of play and PL would be wrong for him, only club and shirt i can see Messi in other than Barcelona's is Bayern's.

Another cannon fodder league for him to score a more goals than he's played, therefore still competing with Ronaldo for the Ballon D'ore.
 
Wait....do people actually think messi is leaving? :lol::lol:

He will end his career at barca, I'm certain..
 
Pexbo said:
This is what I'm talking about though, it's coming to light more and more what sort of character he really is and as someone said before, Barca have done well to protect that image as it's been in their interest to. It seems this time with things more chaotic at board room level there's less interest in protecting that image and a clearer picture of him manipulating the situation to suit himself once again is coming out.

As a Barca fan you might like the fact he says "it's the manager or me" because you don't like the manager and take Messi's side on the matter. From a football point of view, I think any player using that sort of tactic is disgusting behaviour.

Best player of all time? Probably. Nice, respectful down to earth lad? Pull the other one.
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From what I've read, Messi acting out against the board would make Barcelona fans like him even more. Maybe it goes against his "nice lad" persona, but I can understand why the fans like that. Back when Hicks and Gillett were destroying Liverpool, Reina and Torres became fan favourites by speaking out against them, whereas Gerrard and Carragher kept quiet.

Not disagreeing with you by the way, just adding my view that it's understandable from Messi and Barcelona fans' point of view.
 
Also no one's really mentioned this yet, but having a strop, not turning up for training next day/following another team on a social networking site that you have been linked with after being benched, wouldn't people class this as having a 'bad' or 'not the right attitude' if this was any other player (and i include Ronaldo)?

Why does Messi get away with it though?
 
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dannyrhinos89 said:
Wait....do people actually think messi is leaving? :lol::lol:

He will end his career at barca, I'm certain..
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That would be my guess also, he will stay at Barca for his career. Might be some problems there right now, maybe some internal power struggles, but those will get sorted one way or the other. Even with his tax issues, not sure how leaving Spain really helps him. If he is anyplace in Europe, surely the Spanish Tax and Court authorities can still force him to pay up, testify, even serve jail time right?
 
NoWinNoFee said:
Also no one's really mentioned this yet, but having a strop, not turning up for training next day/following another team on a social networking site that you have been linked with after being benched, wouldn't people class this as having a 'bad' or 'not the right attitude' if this was any other player (and i include Ronaldo)?

Why does Messi get away with it though?
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How do you know he didn't turn up rather than had gastroenteritis?
 
tbh I'd be very surprised if any club stumped up for Messi. Sometimes a player costs more than he's worth, and messi is one example. He's already showing the miles on the clock and has lost a bit of that explosive play that characterised him earlier on in his career. For £100M+ you want a player with absolutely no flaws, fit as a fiddle, who will give you the best years of his career, and carry a bit of resale value.

Besides, this is just a symptom of the unrest at barca right now. I'm sure things will settle down soon enough and it'll be business as usual.
 
JustAFan said:
That would be my guess also, he will stay at Barca for his career. Might be some problems there right now, maybe some internal power struggles, but those will get sorted one way or the other. Even with his tax issues, not sure how leaving Spain really helps him. If he is anyplace in Europe, surely the Spanish Tax and Court authorities can still force him to pay up, testify, even serve jail time right?
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If he leaves (like you, I doubt it), it won't be because of tax issues, because as you said he won't escape them by moving to England.

I don't think his tax issues are as problematic as people say anyway. He's still facing court action, but he won't be jailed or bankrupted as a result.
 
I'll get laughed at for saying this and rightly so but I think IF Messi leaves Barca I can see Ronaldo leaving Madrid. I have nothing to base this on but a feeling.
 
NoWinNoFee said:
Also no one's really mentioned this yet, but having a strop, not turning up for training next day/following another team on a social networking site that you have been linked with after being benched, wouldn't people class this as having a 'bad' or 'not the right attitude' if this was any other player (and i include Ronaldo)?

Why does Messi get away with it though?
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Kicks ball at rival fans, evades taxes and has rumored to have bullied some fellow players. I never understood it either and if you had mentioned any of those things here on the Caf a few weeks ago you'd be laughed at and probably abused.
 
Dante said:
Messi did an interview with the Guardian in 2011. He mentioned it then.
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feck me. Not to say he won't end up at Chelsea and not to say they aren't a top team these days. Back then though they were a nothing team, and it would be a bit strange for an Argentinian kid to follow them. Tall tale from him then I reckon.
 
JustAFan said:
That would be my guess also, he will stay at Barca for his career. Might be some problems there right now, maybe some internal power struggles, but those will get sorted one way or the other. Even with his tax issues, not sure how leaving Spain really helps him. If he is anyplace in Europe, surely the Spanish Tax and Court authorities can still force him to pay up, testify, even serve jail time right?
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Exactly, coming to England wouldn't make him exempt from punishment, where ever he goes he will get his punishment. Doubt he would get jail time though. He has been at barca virtually all his adult life and during his youth he will end his career there too.
 
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