Barcelona must act quickly to ensure Messi continues at the club
Barcelona is on the verge of becoming a mediocre side after the club has made several mistakes over the years which can now be seen. The Catalans face several different issues including a limited transfer budget for the summer market, lack of squad depth, an aging squad, and a severe lack of young players.
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This season the Blaugrana have signed four players who are in their thirties or are nearing the figure such as Antoine Griezmann (29), Martin Braithwaite (29), Neto (30) and their latest addition from Juventus, Miralem Pjanic (30). As the club already faces the issue of an aging squad with a lack of replacements, the board should have focused on signing young replacements for the starting eleven rather than signing superstars who have already entered the final phase of their career.
Apart from the foolish decisions made on the pitch and regarding football, Barca has been involved in several off the field controversies as well.
The Neymar lawsuit, hiring of bots and hackers to defame the club, six board members resigning, Eric Abidal blaming the players, and the infamous salary reduction feud. All of these events this season has sparked a huge amount of speculation and controversy at the club which has made Barcelona into a non favourable destination for any young footballer.
Lionel Messi has been vocal this season for the first time after the captain has grown tired of the condition of the club. The player’s father has reportedly put forward an ultimatum that Messi will not renew his contract in the summer of 2021 unless major changes are made.
The Catalan’s shameful defeat against Osasuna at the Camp Nou could be described as the final blow to the club as Leo Messi candidly expressed his frustration to the media post-game, according to GOAL.
"“if we continue like this, we’ll lose to Napoli” in the Champions League”-“If we want to win the Champions League, we have to change a lot. If we continue like this”- Lionel Messi"
Messi statement regarding that a lot of changes have to be made if the club expects to win the Champions League could be described as a direct hint to the board that Quique Setien must leave and a few signings are required.
It was earlier stated that Messi had put forward a condition that demanded the appointment of either Pep Guardiola or Xavi Hernandez as the first choice coach of Barcelona or else the contract renewal would not be signed.
Following Leo Messi’s comments, Quique Setien stated that he is not sure whether he will continue to coach Barca in the Champions League this season. It seems like Messi has made his point clear and if Setien is not sacked immediately, the Argentine forward will make his way out in the summer of 2021.