Why does Lionel Messi want to leave Barcelona? Transfer saga explained

Lionel Messi has spent his whole skilled profession at Barcelona, having joined the membership as a 14-year-old, and the Argentine’s wonderful exploits have seen him change into an honorary Catalan.

He has helped the membership to 10 league titles and 4 Champions Leagues, scooping a document six Ballons d’Or for his private contributions alongside the best way.

His affinity for Barcelona is evident in his close to lifelong dedication to the Spanish giants, however it appears that love is on the wane and he seems nearer to the exit door than ever earlier than.

So is Messi about to bid farewell to Camp Nou and why? Aim breaks down the present scenario.

Is Lionel Messi going to depart Barcelona?

It isn’t sure that Messi will truly depart Barcelona, however his legal professionals have sent a fax to the club outlining a desire to depart.

That means {that a} Messi exit from Camp Nou is now extra doubtless than ever earlier than, significantly with the participant’s contract because of expire in 2021.

Again in July, it was understood that Messi did not want to leave Barcelona, however it’s true that the Argentina worldwide has spoken previously of doubtless becoming a member of one other membership. 

Barca president Josep Bartomeu countered hypothesis a few Messi exit this summer season by claiming that the membership will “get pleasure from [Messi] for for much longer” after stressing that their star participant is just not all for a departure.

“I’m not going to provide particulars however Messi has mentioned many occasions that he’ll finish his soccer life in Barcelona,” Bartomeu mentioned.

He added: “Messi desires to proceed and desires to finish [his career] right here. He has a few years left and we’re going to get pleasure from him for for much longer.”

Nevertheless, it appears that evidently issues have modified considerably since then.

Why does Lionel Messi wish to depart Barcelona?

Messi is expected to reveal his reasons for seeking a transfer away from Barcelona in the coming days, in an effort to provide some clarity to his supporters.

Nevertheless, various the problems which have elevated the opportunity of an exit at this juncture are identified and have been extensively reported.

It’s understood that his major complaints are associated to off-field machinations on the membership, which, it’s felt, are adversely affecting the on-field fortunes of the crew.

The dismissal of Ernesto Valverde as head coach in January, for instance, was not a transfer that Messi was joyful about and he expressed his disappointment at the decision.

Previous to Valverde’s sacking, Messi additionally questioned whether the Bartomeu-led board had done enough in their efforts to bring Neymar – a player he enjoyed playing with – back to Camp Nou.

His effervescent discontent turned much more obvious in February, when the captain publicly hit again at Barca technical secretary Eric Abidal over his criticisms of the gamers.

“These in command of sporting route must also resist their tasks and above all take cost of their very own choices,” shot the Argentine in a caustic Instagram publish.

Then, when confirming the gamers’ 70 per cent pay minimize through the coronavirus lockdown in March, Messi directed a barb at figures within the club “who tried to put us under pressure to do something we always knew we would do.”

Is Lionel Messi Barcelona exit scenario a ‘energy play’?

Having saved his personal counsel on inner political points inside the membership through the years, Messi’s current outspokenness definitely signifies that he’s now prepared to exert his not insignificant affect.

Certainly, it has been urged that he’s partaking in a ‘energy play’ – one which might probably precipitate a untimely finish to Bartomeu’s presidency, with club elections set to take place in March 2021.

Bartomeu, as the top of the Barca board which Messi has been vital of, has taken on the function because the chief antagonist on this state of affairs.

Victor Font, who is likely one of the favourites to succeed Bartomeu as membership president in 2021, has said that Messi’s future at the club now depends on the resignation of Bartomeu.

“If there may be any choice for Messi to remain, irrespective of how small, it goes by means of the resignation of Bartomeu,” Font mentioned on Onda Cero radio present ‘El Transistor’.

He added: “This board will depart with this departure on its CV. After the 8-2 [Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich], we thought we had hit all-time low, however we hadn’t.

“Leo is a legend of Barcelona, I can’t think about that his departure will probably be decided in court docket; I hope, for the nice of the establishment, that we all know methods to deal with his departure effectively.”

One other presidential candidate, Jordi Farre, presented a motion of no confidence in Bartomeu after it emerged that Messi was seeking an exit.

In a message posted on Twitter, Farre mentioned of the present board: “They can not be on the helm for one more minute. It’s time for information and never for phrases.”

There may be clearly a political aspect to all of this and it’s apparent that Messi wields the best energy, together with his phrases and actions carrying far more weight than that of the beige bureaucreats vying for the massive seat.

Given his standing as the most effective footballers who has ever lived, Messi would haven’t any scarcity of choices if he ever did resolve to depart Barcelona.

He has notably been touted for a reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester Metropolis previously and the Premier League membership are definitely among the many few who can be effectively positioned to afford him.

These hyperlinks have been made once more in gentle of current rumblings, but Guardiola played down the suggestion that Messi could soon grace the Etihad Stadium, expressing a wish for the Argentine to remain at Barca.

Nevertheless, as revealed by Aim on the finish of August, Guardiola has indeed held talks with Messi about the possibility of working together again.

Paris Saint-Germain have been mentioned as a real possibility based on the Ligue 1 side’s financial clout, to not point out the truth that Neymar – a participant Messi admires – is on the books.

A return to Argentina is one other chance, together with his compatriot and pal Javier Mascherano emphasising that “anything could happen”.

Mascherano himself returned dwelling in 2020 to affix Estudiantes and membership chairman Juan Sebastian Veron joked that the No. 10 would be reserved for Messi if he wanted to sign for them.

“If you wish to come right here [Estudiantes], you may have the ’10’ ensured,” mentioned Veron. 

“Past that, I do not actually think about him exterior Barcelona, however these are issues that we are saying at this time and tomorrow we see him on the market going to a different membership. 

“The truth is that he’s the one one who has the choice and want; nobody else is aware of.”

In addition to Estudiantes, Messi’s boyhood membership Newell’s Previous Boys would absolutely be within the equation ought to he take into account a return to his place of origin, whereas the likes of Boca Juniors and River Plate might probably attraction.

Regardless of the attraction of returning dwelling, there are difficulties related to shifting a younger household throughout the Atlantic and elevating them in an entire new setting.

Former Barcelona star Rivaldo has spoken of the financial incentive for all involved if Messi were to link up with his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, although such an eventuality appears extremely unlikely.

“With all this hypothesis, I imagine that some brokers are already dreaming a few Messi-Ronaldo double at Juventus and the way large it will likely be across the globe,” Rivaldo mentioned in July.

“If that occurred there can be a world ‘increase’, and I imagine Juventus would shortly get better any funding on the Argentinian due to the increase they’d get from visibility and advertising and marketing.

“It will be historic to see each enjoying collectively and I’m certain many Juve sponsors would love to assist financially, so, it’s additionally a chance for Messi.”

Whereas a dream crew with Ronaldo at Juventus could also be past contemplation for the Bianconeri, one Italian membership which were closely linked are Inter.

Having beforehand gone “all out” to lure the Argentine to San Siro in 2008, current hypothesis prompted the top of Pirelli – Inter’s chief shirt sponsor – to hint that his company could help finance a move.

The thought of Pirelli making a contribution has precedent in Fiat’s help to Juve when Ronaldo joined from Actual Madrid in 2018. 

Previous Trafford is one other rumoured vacation spot, with reports in Argentina again in July suggesting Manchester United had been readying a €120 million (£108m/$136m) part-exchange provide.

The notion of United making a transfer for Messi was resurrected following the current revelations and the Purple Devils will surely not wish to sit idly by and watch their rivals Metropolis land the participant and not using a combat.

In reality, any membership on the planet can be eager to signal Messi, such is his standing, however within the occasion that he does depart, whoever does signal him will want deep pockets.